The manifesto “More Women in Research” is a powerful call to action addressing the underrepresentation of women in academia—particularly in Africa. It is grounded in the belief that gender inclusive research teams drive innovation and improve problem solving and shaped during the More Women in Research seminar in Arusha in March 2024.
Join us for the public online dialogue on October 3, 2024 and help shape the final version of the manifesto. The finalised manifesto will be officially unveiled at the YouLead Africa Summit, scheduled for November 4–8, 2024.
Join the online public dialogue here: Register on zoom here
Agenda for the online meeting dialogue
on 3 October 2024, at 3 – 5 pm EAT / 2 – 4 pm CET / 12 – 2 pm GMT
3 – 3.10 pm EAT
Welcome and introduction
by Stella Agara, Programme Coordinator for the Danida Fellowship Centre/MS TCDC Partnership Together for Impact.
3.10 – 3.30 pm EAT
Keynote speakers
Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza Judge, Supreme Court of Uganda, Prof. Ruksana Osman Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at the University of the Witwatersrand, Dr. Njoki Wamae, Assistant Professor of Politics and International Studies at United States International University Africa, Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, Vice Chancellor University of Nairobi, Kenya and Dr. Irine Isaka, Director for Social Services, EAC,
3.30 – 4.00 pm EAT
Presentation of the More Women in Research manifesto
Why and how the manifesto came about & the issues it raises
By Dr. Agatha Alidri, Faculty of Education and Humanities, Gulu University, Uganda and Dr. Lanoi Maloiy, Independent Feminist Researcher, Kenya
Recommendations and stakeholders actions
By Dr. Lizelle van Dyk, Associate Professor, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg – School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, South Africa, Dr. Jenny Falconer, Director and Technical Manager, Cwenga Technologies, South Africa, Dr. Lea Pare Toe, Target Malaria, Burkina Faso and Dr. Sika Abrokwah, Assistant Research Fellow, Centre for Coastal Management, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
4 – 4.50 pm EAT
Q&A and feedback session
4.50 – 4.55 pm EAT
Online Survey
By YouLead, MS TCDC & Danida Fellowship Centre
4.55- 5.00 pm EAT
Closure and more information about the launch of the final manifesto on 4th November 2024
By Stella Agara
The manifesto “More Women in Research” is grounded in the belief that gender-inclusive research teams drive innovation and improve problem solving. Despite this, women remain underrepresented in research, making up less than 30% of the global research community. In Africa, women hold only 21% of chancellor positions, 14% of vice-chancellor positions, and 26% of registrar positions in the top 97 universities. The manifesto aims to address these disparities and its recommendations target various stakeholders, including women in research, government institutions, universities, research institutions, publishers, funders, the private sector, civil society and the media.
Co-created by the Danida Fellowship Centre, MS TCDC, and YouLead Africa, the “More Women in Research” seminar held in March 2024 was part of Danida Fellowship Centre’s ongoing annual Science Engagement Days. The same group supports the official launch of the Manifesto set for 4 November 2024 during the YouLead Africa Summit.
