LocationsAmplifying Voices and Inspiring Change for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated annually on February 11 to advance the full and equal participation of women and girls in science. In celebration of this year’s theme of “Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science,” the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean is spotlighting stories of some of the bold and bright women in science in the region.
These women are charting brave new paths of experimentation, leadership, and education in ways that challenge norms and break barriers. Read about their experiences and abilities to push the boundaries of innovation in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Ambria Holligan, Clinical Psychologist
Applying VR Technology to Psychology
In 2024, Ambria Holligan led a pilot alongside the UNDP Accelerator Lab to evaluate the experience of exposing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to immersive Virtual Reality (VR) nature experiences. These experiences leveraged existing VR technology and built on previous 360 video captured on land in Dominica’s Kalinago Territory and at sea through coral reefs at Champagne Beach. The output from the project aims to explore the accessibility potential, mental health benefits and other impacts of VR/Augmented Reality (AR) for people with mental and physical disabilities.
Ambria’s work as a Clinical Psychologist pioneering the use of VR for mental wellness and accessibility in the Caribbean exemplifies the vital role women play in STEM fields. Her innovative pilot program, exploring immersive nature experiences for PWDs and those with mental health challenges, showcases her dedication to addressing critical needs within her community in an innovative manner. Her research not only advances the application of technology in healthcare but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring female scientists and medical professionals in the region. By pushing the boundaries of mental health care and leveraging cutting-edge technology, she demonstrates the power of women in STEM to drive meaningful change and improve lives in the Caribbean.
Her passion for being a woman in STEM in Barbados comes from a deep commitment to her community and a belief in the transformative power of science and technology. She recognizes the unique challenges and opportunities facing the Caribbean – particularly in mental health – and sees STEM as the key to developing innovative solutions. Being a woman in this field allows her to not only contribute her expertise but also to serve as a role model, encouraging young women to pursue their own interests in science and technology. She is driven by the desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of Barbadians, using her skills and knowledge to address critical needs and build a healthier, more inclusive society. She understands the importance of diverse perspectives in STEM and is proud to be part of a growing movement of women shaping the future of science in the Caribbean.
What does it mean to you to be a Caribbean woman in science?
"In an ever-advancing world, I view myself as an agent of evolution in psychological intervention techniques by helping to conceptualize, assess and implement technologically based strategies for improved mental wellness outcomes. As a woman from the Caribbean, this is very important to me as we create spaces for our own unique needs to be met."- Ambria Holligan
Paula Williams, 3D Printing Instructor
FACILITATING CAPACITY-BUILDING IN 3D PRINTING
Emerging technology could transform Eastern Caribbean SIDS by making them more competitive and sustainable. More specifically, emerging technologies such as 3D printing can enable the region to experiment and create prototypes quickly and at a lower cost. Against this backdrop, the UNDP Accelerator Lab launched a 3D printing design project with Paula Williams, a 3D Printing Instructor at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology in Barbados.
In the 3D printing project, co-led with the Accelerator Lab, Paula worked with students to develop a suite of designs and prints which can be used in post-disaster settings. She also focused her work on refining open-source tools to increase accessibility of this technology. Additionally, Paula created 3D educational manipulatives, which could have significant impacts within the SIDS early childhood sector and minimize existing barriers such as restricted access to goods and high importation costs. For Paula, it’s an honor to be part of this movement.
Paula Williams leading a 3D printing workshop with students at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology in Barbados.
UNDP/Veronica Millington
Paula exemplifies the ingenuity and drive of Caribbean women in STEM. Her leadership on the 3D printing project not only showcases her technical expertise but also underscores the growing impact of 3D printing technology within the region. Paula is focused on breaking barriers and inspiring the next generation. As an instructor and 3D printing specialist, she believes that there’s immense talent in the Caribbean, and that it's vital that young women see themselves reflected in STEM fields.
What does it mean to you to be a Caribbean woman in science?
"Our unique perspectives and knowledge contribute to solutions, benefiting our communities. Through the use of STEM, we have infinite opportunities. We are limitless!"- Paula Williams
Althia Bonit, Business Services Specialist and Remote Work Coach
Using Technology to Assist businesses and community access to work online
In 2021, Dominican native Althia Bonit participated in the second cohort of the Work Online Dominica programme, supported by IsraAID and UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. Through that initiative, Althia learned valuable insights on freelancing, online job platforms, and strategies to secure remote work opportunities.
Through her acquisition of the knowledge, skills and confidence to navigate the digital economy, Althia has focused on coaching and mentoring others in their journey to online work with emphasis on leveraging technology to create new opportunities. This follows her passion to mentor aspiring Caribbean freelancers in their efforts to harness the power of online work and resulting attainment of financial independence.
Additionally, Althia works as a business services specialist and automation expert, building playbooks, standard operating procedures, training materials and automated workflows for global clients. To do so, she leverages technology as a means of optimizing operations and scaling results.
What does it mean to you to be a Caribbean woman in science?
"As a Caribbean woman in technology, I see innovation as our gateway to economic independence and limitless opportunities. Our voices, skills, and contributions are shaping the future, proving that talent from small islands can undoubtedly make a global impact."- Althia Bonit
Meike Joseph, Ecologist and Tourism Professional
Merging Ecology and Tourism
While pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology from the University of the West Indies, Meike Joseph worked in the tourism sector, gaining firsthand knowledge of how travelers engage with the natural world. This dual exposure to academia and industry sparked her vision to bridge the gap between tourism and conservation through educational experiences.
Fast forward to today, Meike is a dedicated ecologist and tourism professional who has blended her passion for conservation with her love for immersive experiences at Walkers Reserve in Barbados, where she is the Project Officer and Manager - Tours, enabling her to create lasting impact at the community level and among tourists from around the world.
Walkers Reserve Bee Observatory experience for secondary school students, organized by the UNDP Accelerator Lab.
UNDP/Anton Nixon
Through her role, Meike creates new program initiatives that connect guests with nature in a meaningful way. This has included the development of the Walkers Reserve Apiary Program (WRAP) for which she has designed educational programs for schools, training initiatives for aspiring beekeepers, and hive management proposals to support WRAP’s long-term sustainability. Her work at WRAP has allowed her to highlight the importance of pollination, regenerative beekeeping methods, and the pathway to becoming a beekeeper.
What does it mean to you to be a Caribbean woman in science?
"Being a Caribbean woman in science means merging tradition with innovation to drive conservation and sustainability. It represents resilience and adaptability; navigating a field where women, particularly from Small Island Developing States, are still forging their paths in science."- Meike Joseph
These intelligent, innovative and imaginative women from the Caribbean are forging and deepening entry points into the STEM field for females in SIDS, providing guidance and a source of mentorship for those looking to enter the many careers STEM offers.
Globally, this is significant, as women still make up only one-third of the world’s scientific community (UNESCO, 2025). In some countries, less than 10% of researchers are women, and in G20 countries, women hold only 22% of STEM jobs (Ibid). The implications of these statistics are noteworthy, with gender disparities in STEM resulting in missed opportunities, biases and solutions that underrepresent women.
Given these realities, it is incredibly important to tell the stories of women like Ambria Holligan, Paula Williams, Althia Bonit and Meike Joseph as they are actively changing the equation by championing STEM for women. Together, these innovators exemplify the power of "Her Voice in Science," driving progress and inspiring future generations of women in STEM across the Caribbean.
- By Jordanna Straker, Head of Solutions Mapping, and Veronica Millington, Head of Exploration at the UNDP Accelerator Lab for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.
The Accelerator Lab for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean encourages a culture of innovation and learning in key sectors of the Blue, Green and Orange Economies, with a strong focus on integrating innovation and digital technology. Learn more about its work here: go.undp.org/bb-AccLab
