Women scientists play a critical role in Africa’s development, including pushing the envelope on gender equality, one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Persisting gender inequality often severely limits young women pursuing careers in science from achieving
effectively their full potential and contributing to development challenges.
Despite significant progress in closing the gender gap, gender inequality still prevails around the world, particularly in science, where women remain heavily underrepresented. A report from UNESCO indicated that women represent only 28% of researchers employed in research and development (R&D) globally. This level varies across regions. Major gender disparities between women and men research scientists are also visible in their workplaces and in their levels of responsibility.
Women’s underrepresentation in science has consequences for development and research. In the field of poverty and infectious diseases, for instance, the dearth of women scientists often means a lack of diverse perspectives critical to addressing the burden of infectious diseases and gender dimensions, which often disproportionately affect women. In addition, the limitation of women in decision-making positions in academic and research institutions circumscribed their scientific role in prioritising research agendas.
Several factors contribute to this severe underrepresentation of women in science with policy, institutional and individual factors being among the principal ones. In fact, while several sub-Saharan African countries have enacted Science, Technology & Innovation (ST&I) policies, that promote women’s participation in science, they are rarely implemented. Moreover, the scarcity of gender-friendly policy frameworks such as career re-entry programmes to encourage women scientists to resume their careers or provision of child care fasciitis at the workplace, favour the abandonment of the science profession by women scientists and ultimately to a gender gap. This is aggravated by the failure to implement gender-sensitive
promotion policies ensuring the career development of women. Lack of career support including mentors, networks, professional development opportunities, and societal expectations form part of the individual factors which preclude usually the decision of women to pursue careers in science.
Recognizing the challenges that women face, the association African Women in Science (AWinS) has been established to empower women, promote equity and fight discrimination of women in STEM careers. AWinS is supporting women and girls to pursue careers in science by supporting various boosting actions across the African continent.
