First Lady Veronique Herminie Encourages Girls in Seychelles to Pursue Space Science

Seychelles: First Lady of the Republic of Seychelles, Mrs. Veronique Herminie, attended the Women Leadership and Diplomacy Summit held on August 28, 2026, in New Delhi, India, as part of Mission ShakthiSAT, an international initiative aimed at empowering girls through science, technology, innovation, leadership, diplomacy, and space exploration. According to African Press Organization, the summit is part of the STISA-2034 Awareness through Research and Innovation for Girl-Ambassadors in Space programme, which is being held from August 22 to 31 at Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida, India, under the African Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (ASTII) programme. Mission ShakthiSAT seeks to unite young girls worldwide and expose them to opportunities in space science and technology, with the broader aim of developing the next generation of scientists, engineers, innovators, policymakers, diplomats, and leaders. Participants of the programme receive training in space science and satellite techn ology, including hands-on opportunities to learn about CubeSats and payload integration. They also engage with scientists, researchers, space professionals, and leaders from different parts of the world. For Seychelles, involvement in initiatives like Mission ShakthiSAT presents opportunities to enhance the country's understanding and use of space-derived geospatial information, which is valuable for environmental monitoring, conservation, climate research, and maritime management. For an island nation such as Seychelles, access to geospatial data can be particularly valuable in strengthening the monitoring and protection of its vast marine environment. It supports efforts to better understand changes in coastal and marine ecosystems, monitor areas of ecological importance, and inform conservation and sustainable management of maritime resources. Seychelles is actively participating in the initiative, with Nicole Abrams serving as the Seychelles Ambassador for Mission ShakthiSAT, alongside Seychellois girls involved in the international programme. Addressing the summit, Mrs. Herminie emphasized the importance of encouraging girls to enter fields traditionally dominated by men, sharing her own experience of working in the male-dominated construction sector despite her background as an ACCA-certified chartered accountant. She highlighted how accepting a senior leadership role in a construction company, initially outside her technical expertise, led to over seven years in the sector and her promotion to Deputy CEO of the company's holding company, where she helped lead a workforce of more than 1,000 people. Mrs. Herminie used this experience to motivate young participants not to let their academic or professional backgrounds limit their ambitions, stressing that STEM initiatives require a wide range of skills beyond traditional scientific disciplines. She also urged young girls to utilize education and technology to develop their skills and pursue their aspirations, challenging them with questions like, "Why not space science? Why not build satellites? Why not reach for the moon?" The First Lady further called on women in leadership to share their knowledge, experience, and opportunities with the next generation, underscoring the importance of mentorship in building confidence and paths for young girls. Mrs. Herminie welcomed Seychelles' participation in Mission ShakthiSAT and noted the importance of bringing the knowledge gained back to Seychelles. She highlighted the establishment of a department within the Ministry of Education focusing on STEM, artificial intelligence, and innovation, suggesting that the experience gained by the Seychellois participants could contribute to the continued development of STEM education in the country. The Women Leadership Summit brought together women leaders, ministers, ambassadors, policymakers, scientists, educators, diplomats, industry representatives, and young participants, with discussions focusing on women's leadership, global peace, international cooperation, space diplom acy, sustainable development, and the role of young women in shaping the future. Mission ShakthiSAT aims to empower 12,000 girls across 108 countries, creating opportunities for them to gain knowledge, exposure, and practical experience in areas that can help shape the future of science, technology, and innovation.