Commitment to female talent for global health: African women as agents of change in research
In the striking canvas of research and the academic world, the brushes of gender equality not only paint a picture of justice, but also sculpt the essence of knowledge. On the occasion of World Africa Day on 25 May, it is essential to recognise the fundamental role of African women in research and the impact of investing in their potential.
Training African women to engage in research is not only breaking glass ceilings, but also removing the obstacles that perpetuate cultural norms that limit access to education, perpetuate institutional prejudices and undermine women’s contributions. Let's imagine the symphonies of knowledge that remain unheard, when the colors of understanding that remain unstudied are left out half of our intellectual workforce.
Investing in African female researchers is not only balancing the balance, but also filling the gap of ignorance and research gaps that fill our understanding of African communities. Their voices echo the wisdom of centuries, the wisdom rooted in local knowledge and experiences, and offer visions that textbooks could never convey on their own.
Faced with the disgrace, many African female researchers have appeared as exhibitors of resistance and decision, and their stories are forever included in the books of history. From innovation labs to areas of social change, they inspire generations to come and show that there are endless possibilities where there is passion.
On the occasion of World Africa Day, which will take place on 25 May, it is essential to recognise the fundamental role of African women in research and the impact of investing in their potential
However, the path of female researchers in Africa is not only a task to be accomplished, but through the participation and collaboration of the entire community. By bridges between academia and local communities, research becomes a bridge to change, amplifying silenced voices for a long time and responding to people’s urgent needs.
However, for African female researchers to move forward, they need more than just encouragement, they need a support structure: investment in research infrastructures, funding, mentoring and the possibilities to establish relationships to work their talent and to match the path to future discoveries.
It should also reflect the diversity that embraces the leadership layer of the research community. Greater representation of African women in leadership positions is not only to eliminate stereotypes, but to harness the potential of all approaches to drive innovation, promote inclusion and develop research programmes that meet common needs.
While we welcome the achievements and successes of women African researchers, who are renowned researchers, such as Mwele Ntuli Malecela, Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Wangari Muta Maathai or Wendy Okolo, or many other less well-known, we do not limit ourselves to applauding their merits nor accepting the effect of their contributions. Every discovery, every step forward, is testimony to their unbreakable commitment to the advancement of knowledge, the drive for social change and the improvement of people's lives, not only in Africa, but throughout the world.
According to an African proverb, "when you educate a man, you educate an individual, but when you educate a woman, you educate a nation." We therefore respond to the call to strengthen African women in research, which in doing so we strengthen the whole community, nations and the world in general.
Gloria Dada, PhD in Biochemistry.
Associate Professor of Biochemistry at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria (Nigeria) and beneficiary of the "Scholarships for All" programme of the Anesvad Foundation.
Bidali zure iritzi artikuluak iritzia@argia.eus helbide elektronikora
ARGIAk ez du zertan bat etorri artikuluen edukiarekin. Idatzien gehienezko luzera 4.500 karakterekoa da (espazioak barne). Idazkera aldetik gutxieneko zuzentasun bat beharrezkoa da: batetik, ARGIAk ezin du hartu zuzenketa sakona egiteko lanik; bestetik, egitekotan edukia nahi gabe aldatzeko arriskua dago. ARGIAk azaleko zuzenketak edo moldaketak egingo dizkie artikuluei, behar izanez gero.
You may not know who Donald Berwick is, or why I mention him in the title of the article. The same is true, it is evident, for most of those who are participating in the current Health Pact. They don’t know what Berwick’s Triple Objective is, much less the Quadruple... [+]
The article La motosierra puede ser tentadora, written in recent days by the lawyer Larraitz Ugarte, has played an important role in a wide sector. It puts on the table some common situations within the public administration, including inefficiency, lack of responsibility and... [+]
Is it important to use a language correctly? To what extent is it so necessary to master grammar or to have a broad vocabulary? I’ve always heard the importance of language, but after thinking about it, I came to a conclusion. Thinking often involves this; reaching some... [+]
The other day I went to a place I hadn’t visited in a long time and I liked it so much. While I was there, I felt at ease and thought: this is my favorite place. Amulet, amulet, amulet; the word turns and turns on the way home. Curiosity led me to look for it in Elhuyar and it... [+]
Adolescents and young people, throughout their academic career, will receive guidance on everything and the profession for studies that will help them more than once. They should be offered guidance, as they are often full of doubts whenever they need to make important... [+]
We have had to endure another attack on our language by the Department of Education of the Government of Navarre; we have been forced to make an anti-Basque change in the PAI program. In recent years, by law, new Model D schools have had to introduce the PAI program and have had... [+]
Public education teachers have the need and the right to update and improve the work agreement that has not been renewed in fifteen years. For this, we should be immersed in a real negotiation, but the reality is deplorable. In a negotiation, the agreement of all parties must be... [+]
A few weeks ago, on Diputación Street, in the centre of Vitoria-Gasteiz, two men threw a homeless person off the small landing outside the place where he slept. In addition to being thrown away, a metal railing was immediately placed in front of the lonja. Although the place... [+]
From linguistics or glotophobia and, of course, hatred against Basque, we have often seen our Basque become the dandruff of all sticks. Last of all, the president of Kutxabank, Anton Arriola, has been shaking our language and giving us galantas.The President of Kutxabank,
... [+]
Do not look for this connection from Ezkio or Altsasu, let alone crossing the Ebro River through Castejón. The connection, or rather the connections, between the Basque Y and the AVE of Navarre is already a reality. It is these links in the plural that should concern us and... [+]
Don't make a fuss, don't confront, don't victimize... and obey. As oppressed subjects, in this case as Basques, we talk, how many times have we had to listen to them? Ironically, two years ago, at the Euskalale Independentiston Meeting, Esne Arzallus said: "We have arrived here,... [+]
Aurten "Israel Premier Tech" txirrindularitza talde israeldarra ez da Lizarraldeko Miguel Indurain Sari Nagusia lasterketara etorriko. Berri ona da hori Palestinaren askapenaren alde gaudenontzat eta munstro sionistarekin harreman oro etetea nahi dugunontzat, izan... [+]
Intsumituek denbora luzez egindako borroka gogorra eta mingarria izan zen, baina irabazi zuten, eta garaipen hura behin betikoa izango zela uste genuen, atzera bueltarik gabea. Baina badirudi, politikari batzuen ahotik aterata, eskalada militaristari gorazarre egin eta berriz... [+]
Punto Bobo liburuaren irakurketan murgilduta, Itxaso Martin Zapirain egilearen Eromena, Azpimemoria eta Isiltasunak Idazten ikerketa lanean sentitu nuen egiazkotasun eta maila etikoarekin egin dut berriz ere topo. Eta hortaz, hara bueltatu. “Oihu izateko jaio zen isiltasun... [+]