Africa’s Female Scientists Are Resourceful Problem Solvers
Africa’s scientists of the fairer sex have proved to be entrepreneurial and resourceful, successful at finding innovative solutions to problems affecting their communities. A poll undertaken by scientific publication, Nature, shows that of 249 African researchers, 103 identified as female with the majority working in African countries.
African female research scientists are thriving; establishing businesses, launching non-profit science-education efforts, training the next generation of scientists and joining their countries’ health, agricultural and space ministries. We look at a few and celebrate their achievements.
Aster Tsegaye, an HIV/AIDS researcher helps to train researchers in Ethiopia.
(Image: FB)
Elizabeth Kimani-Murage studies malnutrition in Nairobi’s urban communities.
(Image: Twitter/X)
Pontsho Maruping has switched from working in South Africa’s mining sector to helping to develop the country’s astronomy and space programme.
(Image: World Science Forum)
Angela Tabiri in Ghana studies quantum algebra and founded a network of female mathematicians.
(Image: Instagram)
Community Empowerment
Many female scientists across Africa also work in community empowerment projects, helping to communicate science and grow science education. As many have studied abroad, they return home with specific expertise to address the issues in their own countries.
Huge Sacrifices Called For
It is clear from the profiles that these women made huge personal sacrifices to obtain their PhD’s. Those who studied overseas to gain international expertise, had to spend months at a time away from their children, leaving them in the care of others.
Women in Africa experience greater barriers to developing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) than their counterparts in high-income countries; lack of funding a major obstacle. Many women need to take time out for pregnancy, maternity leave and breastfeeding and women also tend to do a higher share of childcare and domestic duties. This is not just the case in Africa, but globally.
Also, some women told Nature that they have not been promoted as quickly as their male counterparts, even though they are publishing at the same rate and bringing in as much research funding and equipment to their institutions as men. The reasons vary, but include being evaluated according to outdated criteria. Often, for example, adjustments are not made for the gaps in publication and funding records resulting from women taking parental leave. Although the gender gap is closing in sub-Saharan Africa, the World Economic Forum forecasts that, at current rates, this could take 95 years.
However, these women are extremely resourceful. In countries where universities lack access to national grant programmes, some researchers and students pool funds from their salaries to buy reagents and small items of equipment. They are willing to make these and other sacrifices, knowing that research experience will make them valuable and benefit their communities.
Long-Term, Stable Investment Needed
Africa’s researchers badly need long-term, stable investment from internal and external funding sources, including venture capital. In Nature’s poll, 56% of respondents (122 of 217) working in science in Africa, cited a lack of funding as their greatest career challenge.
Work–life balance was the second-most mentioned concern for women. If it imperative Africa’s governments and the international donor community do more to help scientists to realise their ambitions.
Addressing Challenges in Africa
Certain continent-wide initiatives are helping to address systemic challenges for in Africa. Since 2011, the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA), based in Nairobi, has sponsored 228 doctoral and postdoctoral fellows, 57% of whom were women, across a number of countries. CARTA has two women at its helm; Co-directors Catherine Kyobutungi and Sharon Fonn.
The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), a pan-African network of centres has trained almost 2,500 students in intensive and residential mathematics master’s programmes, with more than 800 obtaining their PhD’s. AIMS is led by educationalist, Lydie Hakizimana and its main goals include increasing the continent’s number of maths students and the representation of women in STEM fields. One-third of its alumni are women.
International partnerships would benefit scientists, not just in Africa, but throughout the world. African researchers include leaders in their fields and scientists on the continent can bring fresh perspectives to global research projects.
