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Gender bias holds back Africa women agriculture researchers
Scientific researcher Mary Oyunga shows the Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes that are rich in vitamin A. African Women in Agriculture Research and Development programme is seeking to develop and strengthen research and leadership skills of African women in agricultural science. Photo/FILE
Posted Friday, August 6 2010 at 00:00
According to a 2008 survey conducted over eight years across sub-Saharan Africa by AWARD in partnership with Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators, the number of African women professionals employed in agricultural sciences grew by eight percent during the study period, while the number of African men grew by two percent per year.
Though the gap is narrowing, the research found that women still represent less than one quarter of Africa’s scientists holding positions in agricultural research, and that less than 14 percent of leadership positions are held by a woman.
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