WAVE and AWARD join forces to empower African Women scientists

According to the World Bank, sub-Saharan Africa has about 30% of women researchers. Significant disparities also exist between male and female researchers in the region, particularly in terms of senior management positions. Women represent only 8% of researchers in laboratories’ management positions. These percentages reveal the gap between male and female researchers on the continent.

To provide African women scientists with the most effective tools, WAVE and the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) program have joined forces to implement the WAVE Women Career Accelerator (WWCA) project. The project aims to strengthen the scientific, leadership and mentoring skills of African women scientists working within WAVE.  It will consist of online training and mentoring sessions, tailored to the 16 students selected from the 13 WAVE hubs and mentored by 15 experienced researchers from the WAVE network or affiliated. The participants will be guided by the AWARD team of trainers. The project will enable the 16 recipients to acquire some scientific skills and to improve their leadership and project writing skills.