In a momentous event on November 9, 2023, Kasane, Botswana, hosted the annual L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents Sub-Saharan Africa Awards, honoring 25 PhD candidates and five post-doctoral researchers. These exceptional women, dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge, received well-deserved recognition and financial support: €10,000 for PhD students and €15,000 for postdoctoral researchers.
Empowering Women Through Training
The laureates not only received awards but also participated in comprehensive training sessions. Covering topics such as leadership, negotiation, assertive communication, media skills, and combating harassment, the training aimed to equip these scientists with the tools needed for navigating their scientific journeys successfully.
Constance Chingwaru, a second-year PhD student at Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe, expressed gratitude for the informative training, foreseeing its positive impact on her scientific career.
Tackling Global Challenges with Local Solutions
1. Constance Chingwaru – Sustainable Pest Control in Agriculture (Zimbabwe):
- Focus: Developing a novel biopesticide from local plants to combat the invasive fall armyworm, contributing to UN SDGs 1 (no poverty) and 2 (zero hunger).
- Objectives: Investigating methods employed by smallholder farmers, assessing botanical interventions in laboratory and field conditions, and developing a biopesticide for sustainable maize farming.
2. Aderonke Korede – Enhancing Shea Olein with Antioxidants (Nigeria):
- Research: Exploring the antioxidant properties of ginger and turmeric to enhance the stability and sensory attributes of shea olein, aiming to transform it into a healthy cooking oil.
- Vision: Bringing laboratory outcomes to marketable products, promoting a healthy and antioxidant-rich vegetable oil for African consumers.
3. Faith Njeru – Innovative Plant Disease Detection (Kenya):
- Area of Study: Food security and agribusiness.
- Research Focus: Developing a cost-effective paper strip test for early plant disease detection using camel serum molecules, contributing to food security and reduced crop loss.
4. Felicidade Noémia Xerinda Niquice—Occupational Safety in Healthcare (Mozambique):
- Research: Assessing and managing occupational risks associated with bloodborne diseases (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV) among healthcare workers.
- Significance: Addressing the high infection burden and lack of testing/treatment for Hepatitis B and C in Mozambique’s healthcare settings.
Inspirational Stories of Determination
1. Aderonke Korede – Breaking Age Stereotypes:
Despite being the eldest among the awardees, turning 50 in February 2024, Korede emphasizes that age is not a barrier but rather the contribution one can make to the scientific community.
2. Ini Adinya – Overcoming Discrimination (Nigeria):
Adinya shares her journey of facing discrimination as a woman in science but emphasizes the rewards of resilience and hard work in her pursuit of financial models with discontinuities in the real options framework.
Support and Inspiration Beyond Science
1. Family Support:
Aderonke Korede highlights the crucial support she receives from her husband, emphasizing the importance of financial support for married women pursuing STEM.
2. Role Models:
Felicidade Noémia Xerinda Niquice draws inspiration from her mother, Noémia Francisco Xerinda, who, as one of the few women with a mechanical engineering degree in Mozambique, serves as a source of pride and motivation.
3. Influence of Teachers:
Ini Adinya credits her physics and mathematics teachers for fueling her interest in science during her high school years, underscoring the significant role educators play in shaping scientific pursuits.
The stories of these outstanding women in science not only celebrate their achievements but also shed light on the broader challenges and triumphs within STEM fields. Their dedication to tackling real-world problems reflects a commitment to sustainable development and the betterment of lives in Africa and beyond.
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