Dr. Savanna Lloyd, a 2024 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Caribbean Young Talent Awardee and a researcher in Physics specializing in Materials Science and Renewable Energy in the Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies, Mona, was invited to the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, France, on March 9, 2026. There, she served as a panellist at the organisation’s International Women’s Day event, “Rights, Justice and Action.”

 

 

At the event, she shared the podium with UNESCO’s Director-General, Professor Khaled El Enany,  the incumbent Deputy Directors-General, and fellow panellist Kutoma Wakunuma, a leading young scientist advocating for increased participation of women in artificial intelligence. In her presentation, Dr Lloyd highlighted the challenges faced by women in developing countries that hinder sustained participation in STEM fields. She emphasised the need for increased financial support from funding and granting institutions to strengthen STEM- and women-centred mentorship programmes, and underscored the importance of regional cooperation to facilitate the free movement of scientists between specialised laboratories.

 

 

Dr Lloyd’s participation also served as an important voice for women from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in global scientific discourse, highlighting the value of their perspectives in addressing unique regional challenges and advancing inclusive, sustainable innovation in STEM.

 

Additionally, Dr Lloyd attended the International Women’s Day events held at the UNESCO headquarters from March 10–11, 2026.