In progress
Since its inception in 2012, the Women for Africa Foundation (FMxA) has been at the forefront of promoting Africa’s development through the empowerment of African women. With the launch of the Science by Women program, the foundation aims to foster African women’s leadership in scientific research and technology transfer, focusing on solutions to Africa’s pressing challenges in health, agriculture and food security, water management, energy, and climate change. The program seeks to empower African women scientists to lead groundbreaking research that can be translated into impactful technologies and products, ultimately improving countless lives across the continent.
For this project, we have partnered with Spain’s renowned Severo Ochoa Centers of Excellenceand other prestigious research institutions, providing access to cutting-edge resources and networks. The collaboration ensures a level of scientific excellence that aligns with international standards and expectations, enhancing the impact of research across Africa. During its first edition, FMxA collaborated with prominent Spanish research institutions, including the Spanish National Cancer Research Center, Institute of Photonic Sciences, Spanish National Center for Biotechnology, Carlos III Health Institute, and the Institute of Mathematical Sciences. Since then, the program has expanded, and today, more than 30 centers of excellence across Spain actively participate, contributing their expertise and resources. Over the past 9 editions, more than 150 African women researchers have benefitted from these collaborations, gaining advanced knowledge and tools to drive positive change in their home countries.
A substantial number of trained professionals leave Africa each year, resulting in billions of dollars in lost investment in education and training. Factors contributing to this “brain drain” include a lack of funding, mentorship, and resources. Women face additional hurdles such as gender bias, limited access to role models, and inadequate managerial support. The “Science by Women” program addresses these barriers by fostering a supportive environment where African women scientists can innovate and drive sustainable progress.
Science and technology hold the potential to transform Africa into a self-sustaining continent, shifting from dependency to development generation. This model ensures that science and innovation directly contribute to the well-being of African communities while promoting human welfare, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. African women are pivotal to this shift, as they are often the first to feel the impact of unmanaged development and, therefore, are deeply committed to championing sustainable solutions. While Africa’s gender gap in science and technology persists, recent data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) as of June 2020 reveals promising progress. Tunisia boasts a 56.1% female researcher rate, South Africa follows with 44.9%, and Egypt reaches 45.6%, all well above the global average of 30%. However, in other nations like Chad, Congo, and Guinea, women researchers remain below 10%. This percentage is a crucial metric of progress, as a higher representation of women in research signifies a broader commitment to sustainable, inclusive development across Africa.
NOW is Africa
NOW is Africa is a dedicated network aiming to dismantle gender barriers and foster a thriving culture of innovation and research across the African continent. All African women scientists who have participated in the Science by Women program are members of this network, as the foundation recognizes that strong networks are essential for advancing women into leadership roles. By connecting over 150 talented women scientists, NOW is Africa facilitates knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and collaboration, creating an environment where African women can drive impactful change together and inspire future generations.
Dr. Hermine Jatsa Boukeng, 9th edition Science by Women fellow from Cameroon, with Dr. Javier Sotillo at Carlos III Health Institute in Madrid.
