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Women in Science: Inspiring Stories from Africa

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Women in Science: Inspiring Stories from Africa The Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) was established on 13th December 2001 in Nairobi, Kenya and is currently the affiliate Network for InterAcademy Partnership (IAP) in Africa. NASAC is a consortium of merit-based science academies in Africa and aspires to make the “voice of science” heard by policy and decision makers within and outside the continent. NASAC is dedicated to enhancing the capacity of existing national science academies and champions in the cause for creation of new academies where none exist. In 2009, NASAC constituted the Women for Science Working Group (WfS WG), a forum for women scientists in Africa aiming to apply the gender-lens in science and the work of science academies. This was done mainly through sharing experiences and setting the gender-specific priorities for academies. Additionally, the Group also encouraged gender mainstreaming in science curricula in education so as to foster pursuit of scientific-careers by girls in schools. The members also agreed to serve as role models. The NASAC WfS WG has provided immense support to this publication on Inspiring Stories of women scientists in Africa. The publication was made possible through the financial support from IAP-Science aimed at inspiring girls and young women to consider scientific careers as a viable option. The members of the NASAC Women for Science Working Group include: Prof. Rose Leke (Cameroon) — Chair Prof. Romeela Mohee (Mauritius) — Vice-Chair Dr. Pacificah Okemwa (Kenya) — Secretary Prof. Francisca Okeke (Nigeria, AAS) Dr. Aster Tsegaye (Ethiopia) Prof. Isabella Quakyi (Ghana) Prof. Waceke Wanjohi (Kenya) Prof. Josephine Ngaira (Kenya) Prof. Nadifi Sellama (Morocco) Prof. Amália Uamusse (Mozambique) Prof. Chinedum Babalola (Nigeria) Prof. Salimata Wade (Senegal) Prof. Jennifer Thomson (South Africa) Ms Edith Shikumo (South Africa) Prof. Suad Sulaiman (Sudan) Prof. Costancia Peter Rugumamu (Tanzania) Prof. Christine Dranzoa (Uganda) Dr. Dahlia Garwe (Zimbabwe) CONTENTS vii Foreword Letitia Eva ObENG 41 1 Introduction Ghana Adeyinka Falusi FALUSI Maria MuSOKE 2 Nigeria 43 Uganda Akissa BAHRI Marian Asantewah NkansaH 4 Tunisia 46 Ghana Alsácia AtanáSIO-NhAcuMbE Mary AbuKuTSA-ONyANGO 8 Mozambique 48 Kenya Amal Amin Ibrahim Shendi Nada Olanike ADEyEMO 11 52 Egypt Nigeria Aminata Sall Diallo Saada NAILE AHMED ELMAHI 13 Senegal 54 Sudan Asha DOOKuN-SAumtally Saâdia NASSIK 16 Mauritius 57 Morocco callinice Capo-chIchI Sarifa Abdul Magide Fagilde 18 Benin 59 Mozambique Eléonore chikani YayI Ladekan Sombo MAKECHE 20 Benin 62 Zambia Elizabeth Anne BUKUSI Sylvie hounzangbe Adote 22 Kenya 65 Benin Fatma HAMAD Tebello Nyokong 26 Tanzania 68 South Africa Florence Mutonyi D’ujanga uphie chinje Melo 29 Uganda 70 Cameroon Gladness George Mwanga yaye Kene GASSAMA 31 Tanzania 73 Senegal hilda NyAMbE-SILAvwE yeweyenhareg FELEKE 33 Zambia 76 Ethiopia Isabelle Adole GLIThO Zoubida chArrOuF 36 Togo 79 Morocco Judith Sèdaminou GbENOuDON Acknowledgements 38 Benin 82 vi WOMEN IN SCIENCE: Inspiring Stories from Africa Women in Science Inspiring Stories from Africa © 2017 Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) Design and layout Irene Ogendo Printers Paperbrand Conqueror Enterprises Ltd. Publishers Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) Electronic copies of this book can be downloaded for free from: www.nasaconline.org vii FOREWORD Women are under-represented in their success in STEM careers, efforts Science, Technology, Engineering and and sacrifices, they still encountered Mathematics (STEM) fields globally, and overcame various challenges. but the situation is worse in Africa. In These scientists demonstrate that response to this, the Inter-Academy women can excel in STEM fields. They Partnership-Research (IAP-R) partnered are humble and in touch with reality; with NASAc to publish a book profiling particularly the challenges that women African women scientists. Women in and men face in their countries. Despite STEM fields face various challenges this, they have sought solutions and such as educational constraints, innovations through science. cultural and gender prejudices as This publication contains stories well as stereotyping, which influences of thirty women from eighteen their opportunities and choices. The countries across Africa, who have result of which is a severe reduction excelled in various STEM careers on the number of women who enrol such as Agricultural engineering, to complete studies and are employed Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Analytical in STEM fields. consequently, the and Nuclear Chemistry, Engineering, Women for Science Working Group Mathematics, Medicine, Biotechnology, also identified profiling African women Information Science, Pharmacy, Physics scientists as a priority area for NASAC and veterinary Medicine among others. in 2011. The stories as told by the women This publication profiles women in scientists affirm the importance of STEM fields in Africa. The stories are science in solving human problems. written mainly to inspire girls and young They also underline the sacrifices one women to pursue careers in science. must make for one’s dreams to come The language used is simple and true. By reading these stories, you will the stories can be retold in ways that learn that women have the capacity to demystify STEM careers. The women excel in science and that from an early scientists featured in this publication age, curiosity and interest in science come from all walks of life; privileged has to be nurtured so as to blossom into and under-privileged, residing in either successful careers. This however, does rural or urban settings. Like others in not always happen as some of these their category, these women scientists careers are erroneously considered have combined several techniques and incompatible with womanhood. The roles to find fulfilment and contribute to scientists whose stories are narrated development. They are mothers, wives, however show a commitment to the counsellors, teachers or care-givers mentorship of young women and men among other gender roles. In spite of in various STEM careers. viii WOMEN IN SCIENCE: Inspiring Stories from Africa It is with much humility and joy that inspiration and determination are I present this book. It is my earnest pertinent to achieving your goals. hope that this book lights up your path I am honoured to write a foreword to excel in STEM careers and that you to this book, which celebrates the will grow in strength and wisdom to achievements of the intrepid women overcome any odds that life may throw who have paved the way for the next your way. The stories have beautiful generation of female engineers, pictures, which demonstrate that beauty biologists, mathematicians, doctors, and science are compatible, science astronauts, physicists, computer and womanhood is possible and above scientists and more. all, that a balance between information, Prof. Mostapha Bousmina President, NASAC 1 INTRODUctION Women, in time to come, will do much “ ” The stories of the African women careers can make to girls’ and women’s scientists in this book breathe life into career paths. the statement, “Women in time to come will do much” – Mary Ward, 1585–1645. The stories in this book show that women Amidst a lot of resistance from the church scientists — old and young — are involved and society in her time, she founded in projects that are conceived and driven Loreto schools (mainly for girls) as she was by the struggles, day-to-day needs and the convinced that with a good education, concerns of people in their communities. women would positively impact their Indeed, through the projects they have families and communities. initiated, these women scientists are providing home-grown solutions to the The stories and achievements of women problems women, children, men and in the field of science allow the reader to indeed communities face. These include traverse the continent of Africa and the disease and malnutrition, poverty, diverse fields of science. Through these environmental degradation and food stories, one feels their remarkable energy security, to mention just a few. Whole and commendable efforts. Their struggles communities are reaping the benefits of to succeed amid social, economic and their work. cultural barriers to women’s up-take of science, work/life balance, perceptions This book, therefore, serves as a push and stereotypes demonstrate that to all girls and young women to take up women can overcome and ultimately any science in this universe and make a excel in science through self-will and career out of it. It complements a previous determination. publication from the Inter-American Network of Academies of Science (IANAS) I walked with each of these women from titled Women Scientists in the Americas – their narrations about childhood curiosity Their inspiring stories and the lives and and what propelled them to science right careers of successful women scientists through to their adulthood and current in the Americas. It also assures those in engagements. It is evident from their doubt (often due to misinformation) that stories that an innocent early interest can science is wonderful, it is exciting; and the and should always translate into a science women who are in scientific careers are career that we as women scientists are beautiful, well-groomed, and above all, passionate about. The stories emphasise happy to be who they are. the central role played by parents, siblings, teachers and close relatives as enablers of girls’ success in science. Unfortunately
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