91�鶹������Ʒ����

In the past few years, the world in general, and Africa in particular, have been challenged by successive crises: the significant impact of frequent droughts, the consequences of the Covid-19 crisis, and more recently the soaring inflation of cereals and commodity prices. As a consequence, instability threatens more and more countries in Africa. To address these various challenges, more than ever, the world needs science. And science needs women.

Through the 13th edition of the For Women in Science Young Talents Awards for Sub-Saharan Africa, the Fondation L'Oréal and UNESCO reaffirm their commitment to women in science. This programme is dedicated to accompanying women scientists on their academic journey, increasing their visibility, and nurturing their careers.

The 20 scientists awarded are working in a wide range of research fields and committed to improving the lives of millions of people across Africa and the world. Securing and increasing agricultural harvests to combat poverty and hunger, halting the spread of diseases such as malaria, improving the management and conservation of vital natural resources, enhancing the safety of their nations in the face of natural disasters, and developing diverse biopolymers for industry. Through their commitment and scientific excellence, these young women constitute a decisive asset for the continent’s development.

Selected for their scientific excellence among 425 applications by a jury chaired by Professor Aggrey Ambali (Director of Technical Cooperation and Programme Financing at the African Union Development Agency, AUDA-NEPAD), the 2022 Young Talents make the 16 countries from which they come proud. For the first time, Niger, Togo, and Chad are represented this year. They will be celebrated and honored at the upcoming Awards Ceremony in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, on 1 December 2022.

Whether they are mathematicians, physicists, biologists or civil engineers, each of the laureates has gone through a journey paved with obstacles. Some of these difficulties are inherent to the world of scientific research in Sub-Saharan Africa, such as the lack of financial and technical resources. Other obstacles are specific to being a woman in science: gender discrimination and stereotypes, lack of female role models or support, and a challenging balance between professional and personal life. Thus, these women scientists have had to combine perseverance and determination in order to reach their goals and establish themselves in fields still confined to men.

At a time when the mobilization of all scientific talent has never been so crucial, global academia still gives too little space to women, and to Africa. As an illustration, the proportion of African scientists among world researchers is only 2.5% ¹.

"Without women, no progress is possible. We cannot move forward if half of humanity is left behind. We must encourage women, make them visible, empower them to fight against existing obstacles and allow them to inspire future generations" said Alexandra Palt, Executive Director of the Fondation L'Oréal, at the 2022 Education Transformation Summit at the United Nations headquarters last September.

“By adopting Gender Equality as a transversal priority, 91�鶹������Ʒ���� committed to making a positive and lasting contribution to women’s empowerment in education, the sciences, culture and communication. Supporting gender equality in science should stem from transformative policies ensuring that women and girls are empowered to lead and innovate, promoting women scientists as positive role models and building awareness at the highest levels of decision-making”, said Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, UNESCO.

The purpose of the Young Talents Awards is to support women scientists in the pursuit their careers, and more generally to promote and strengthen the role of women in science.

The 20 awarded researchers will receive financial support to help them conduct their research project (grants of €10,000 for doctoral students and €15,000 for post-doctoral students). However, the programme goes beyond financial support: it also offers participants an opportunity to receive comprehensive leadership training. The purpose of the training is to contribute to the personal and professional development of the Young Talents and enable them to break the glass ceiling, becoming new female role models in science.

In December 2022, the 20 Talents will join the community of 181 female researchers who have been supported and honored by the For Women in Science Young Talents Programme in Sub-Saharan Africa since its launch in 2010. Initiated in 2000 in partnership with UNESCO, the Fondation L’Oréal’s For Women in Science national and regional Young Talents programs provide nearly 250 endowments each year in more than 110 countries. These awards provide Young Talents with specific support at a pivotal moment in their careers.

Southern Africa

• Bibi Nausheen JAFFUR, Ph.D. student in Engineering Sciences and Technology – ‘Biopolymer production from plant fibres’ - Mauritius
• Beauty MAKAMURE, Ph.D. student in Life and Environmental sciences – ‘Whole genome sequencing for detection of TB drug resistance in Zimbabwe’ - Zimbabwe
• Brenda NAMUMBA, post-doctoral fellow in Physical Sciences – ‘Using SKA Precursor telescopes to unravel the mysteries of the universe’ - Zambia
• Lovasoa Rina RAHARINAIVO, Ph.D. student in Life and Environmental Sciences – ‘Plastic pollution and more sustainable alternatives in Madagascar’ - Madagascar
• Bibi Yusra RUHOMALLY, Ph.D. student in Formal Sciences – ‘Modelling illicit drug use dynamics using NERA model’ - Mauritius

Central Africa

• Assia Aboubakar MAHAMAT, post-doctoral fellow in Engineering Sciences and Technology – ‘Development of eco-friendly construction materials in Sub-Saharan Africa’ - Chad
• Nora NGANYEWO, PhD student in Life and Environmental Sciences –’Genetics and Plasmodium Falciparum invasion in the Gambia’ - Cameroon

East Africa

• Julliet KIRUI, PhD student in Physical Sciences – ‘Water quality classification using Ensemble learning and IOT’ - Kenya
• Geraldin M. W. LENGAI, post-doctoral fellow in Life and Environmental Sciences – ‘Spices as fungicides for late blight management’ - Kenya
• Ruth MWANGI, PhD student in Life and Environmental Sciences – ‘Biopesticides against the degradation of post-harvest tomatoes’ - Kenya
• Ange Cynthia UMUHIRE, PhD student in Physical Sciences – ‘Space weather prediction and forecast in Rwanda’ - Rwanda
• Bezalem Eshetu YIRDAW, PhD student in Formal Sciences – ‘Modeling child morbidity using a multi-level Bayesian network’ - Ethiopia

West Africa

• Iveren ABIEM, post-doctoral fellow and Life and Environmental Sciences – ‘Carbon storage in the Afromontane Forest’ - Nigeria
• Winifried Ayinpogbilla ATIAH, post-doctoral fellow in Life and Environmental Sciences – ‘Seasonal flood forecast in Ghana’ - Ghana
• Farida BOUBE DOBI, PhD student in Life and Environmental Sciences – ‘Groundwater resources management in Niger’ - Niger
• Awa Bousso DRAMÉ, PhD student in Life and Environmental Sciences – ‘Coastal modeling and geospatial sciences in Senegal’ - Senegal
• Olyvia Gwladys FADEYI, PhD student in Engineering Sciences and Technology – ‘Edible mushroom value chain and rural women's empowerment in Benin’ - Benin
• Adjata KAMARA, PhD student in Life and Environmental Sciences – ‘Biopesticide against post-harvest rot of yam - Côte d'Ivoire
• Oluwatosin OGUNDOLIE (born AKINWALE), Ph.D. student in Formal Sciences – ‘Flood prediction in Nigeria’ - Nigeria
• Mawulolo YOMO, PhD student in Life and Environmental Sciences – ‘Sea water intrusion dynamics in the Coastal sedimentary Basin of Togo’ - Togo

Footnotes

[1] Ref. Unesco Science Report 2021, /reports/science/2021/en/download-report