ACP young professionals and women

Young People and Agriculture in Africa

In March 2012 the Future Agricultures Consortium and the Institute of Statistical, Social, and Economic Research co-hosted an international conference on 'Young People, Farming and Food' in Accra, Ghana. This conference examined how young people engage with the agri-food sector in Africa and how research findings were being integrated into policy processes.It also explored the dynamics of change in different components of the agri-food sector and the implications for young people. The articles in this IDS Bulletin are drawn from the conference. They discuss social and economic structures, aspirations, livelihoods, land and policy, and illustrate the multiple dimensions, scales and complex dynamics of the young people and agriculture 'problem' – and why simplistic 'solutions' are likely to fail. It is hoped that this collection will stimulate the research to fill an evidence gap of very significant proportions.(IDS Bulletin Vol. 43, Is. 6, 11/2012)http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/idsb.2012.43.issue-6/issuetoc

20/11/2012

How farmers' gender-based differences hamper climate adaptation

The CGIAR research programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) posted a blog entry commenting the newly released Working Paper ‘Participatory gender-sensitive approaches for addressing key climate change-related research issues’. That paper moves from theory to practice through the testing of pre-prepared participatory research tools in Bangladesh, Ghana and Uganda.The rationale behind the manual and the field tests was to get a better understanding of the reality female and male farmers face, and find gender-differences that impede climate change adaptation. The researchers investigated if and how farming practices are being modified to deal with a changing environment, and the constraints and opportunities these changes pose for both men and women. Results from the field show that farmers, depending on gender, age and context face a different reality and various degrees of vulnerability. For instance in Bangladesh, cultural norms prevent unmarried women to travel, whereas in Ghana the women stated that access to transport and finances are not available preventing them to travel very far. This would impede the travel required to visit climate analogue sites. The authors conclude that these kinds of constraints need to be reflected in planned climate change adaptation projects.(Thanks Cecilia Shubert, CCAFS research programme; 23/8/2012)

23/10/2012

Update October 2012: CTA/ FARA/ IFS/ ANAFE/ RUFORUM/ NEPAD/ AGRA 3rd Africa Wide Women and Young Professionals in Science Competitions

Fourty-four (44) semi-finalists of the 3rd Africa-wide CTA/FARA/IFS/ ANAFE/RUFORUM/NEPAD/AGRA Women and Young Professionals in Science competitions, participated in a "Scientific-writing, Policy Advocacy and Communication Training workshop" in Uganda from 24-28 September, 2012. The workshop was held in conjunction with the 3rd RUFORUM Biennial Conference. Semi-finalists also attended selected plenary sessions and networked with senior government and university officials, donors and RUFORUM alumni.One of the semi-finalists wrote to Judith Ann Francis, Senior Programme Coordinator, Science and Technology Policy, CTA saying; "This is Julius Hagan (PhD), one of the young professional scientists from Ghana. I would like to express my profound appreciation to the entire CTA team, Dr. Ekaya - RUFORUM and Prof. Obura - lead trainer and other associate sponsors (FARA, IFS, ANAFE, NEPAD, AGRA) for the competition and for the training workshop you organised for the semi-finalists. For some of us, it was an opportunity, once in a lifetime. Thanks for the exposure, accommodation, food, return ticket, per diem and the training. I promise to put into action all that I was taught. I really appreciate everything and promise to work hard to be among the top 10 finalists to represent my country in the finals. Once again thanks for the international exposure".The semi-finalists are now required to revise their draft papers which they worked on during the Uganda training workshop. The final papers must be submitted by the November deadline. They will be peer reviewed and evaluated by the expert panel. The top 10 in each competition, Women and Young Professionals in Science, will then vie for the top prizes at the FARA General Assembly in Ghana, in June 2013.See the full size picture of the participants here.

2/10/2012

Update: Announcement of Semi-Finalists -- CTA/ FARA/ IFS/ ANAFE/ RUFORUM/ NEPAD/ AGRA 3rd Africa Wide Women and Young Professionals in Science Competitions

The Expert panel for the 3rd Africa wide science competitions has selected the semi-finalists from among the 316 abstracts received in response to the calls launched in May 2012. During the second Expert Panel meeting which took place at FARA Secretariat in Ghana from 12-14 July 2012; 55 abstracts (26 for Women and 29 for Young Professionals in Science) were chosen using the established criteria; logic (10%), content (20%), communication (20%), impact (20%), innovation (15%) and originality (15%). A complete list of all the semi-finalists, their research topics and country of origin can be downloaded. All semi-finalists and other unsuccessful entrants have been informed of the outcomes of the selection process. 

28/08/2012

Related developments

S&T Organisations / Web resources

Relevant publications

Feature articles

Launch of the 2012 - 2013 Africa-wide Women and Young Professionals in Science competitions

//**// UPDATE May 15th, 2012: the deadline has been extended to June 4th, 2012. More information here. //**//Call for Abstracts: ´Feeding 1 billion in Africa in a changing world´. Deadline: 14 May 2012.The CTA/ FARA/IFS/ ANAFE/ RUFORUM consortium, in collaboration with AGRA and NPCA, is pleased to announce the launch of its 2012-2013 Africa-wide women and young professionals in science competitions. With a population of approximately 1.03 billion in 2011, and a growth rate of 24 million per annum, Africa’s population is expected to double by 2050. The continent needs to increase agricultural productivity in a sustainable manner as well as find endogenous solutions to respond to the challenges. Africa’s investment in science and innovation remains low; and only one African university is listed among the top 500 in the world. Women are under-represented in all areas of policy, education and research and many of Africa’s youthful population; 70% aged 30 or younger, do not see a future in agriculture or science. The continent faces a knowledge and skills gap as ageing scientists and academicians retire. The 2012-2013 Africa-wide competitions will evaluate, recognize and reward the contributions of women and young professionals who are involved in: (i) Pioneering and innovative research; (ii) Communicating their research results and technological developments; and (iii) Advocating for policy change as well as influencing policy processes through their research. They will also raise awareness of the need for valuing and sustaining the engagement of women and young professionals and facilitating their contribution to Africa’s socio-economic transformation.Get the Women in Science competition announcement here (updated as of May 15th, 2012): English version http://knowledge.cta.int/en/content/view/full/15382Version française http://knowledge.cta.int/fr/content/view/full/15382Get the Young Professional in Science competition announcement here (updated as of May 15th, 2012)English version http://knowledge.cta.int/en/content/view/full/15383Version française http://knowledge.cta.int/fr/content/view/full/15383Read the related concept note here:English Version http://knowledge.cta.int/en/Media/Multimedia/Concept-Note-2012-2013-Africa-Wide-Women-and-Young-Professionals-in-Science-CompetitionVersion française http://knowledge.cta.int/fr/Media/Multimedia/Concept-Note-2012-2013-Africa-Wide-Women-and-Young-Professionals-in-Science-Competition

8/03/2012

Launch of the 2012 - 2013 Africa-wide Women and Young Professionals in Science competitions

//**// UPDATE May 15th, 2012: the deadline has been extended to June 4th, 2012. More information here. //**//Call for Abstracts: ´Feeding 1 billion in Africa in a changing world´. Deadline: 14 May 2012.The CTA/ FARA/IFS/ ANAFE/ RUFORUM consortium, in collaboration with AGRA and NPCA, is pleased to announce the launch of its 2012-2013 Africa-wide women and young professionals in science competitions. With a population of approximately 1.03 billion in 2011, and a growth rate of 24 million per annum, Africa’s population is expected to double by 2050. The continent needs to increase agricultural productivity in a sustainable manner as well as find endogenous solutions to respond to the challenges. Africa’s investment in science and innovation remains low; and only one African university is listed among the top 500 in the world. Women are under-represented in all areas of policy, education and research and many of Africa’s youthful population; 70% aged 30 or younger, do not see a future in agriculture or science. The continent faces a knowledge and skills gap as ageing scientists and academicians retire. The 2012-2013 Africa-wide competitions will evaluate, recognize and reward the contributions of women and young professionals who are involved in: (i) Pioneering and innovative research; (ii) Communicating their research results and technological developments; and (iii) Advocating for policy change as well as influencing policy processes through their research. They will also raise awareness of the need for valuing and sustaining the engagement of women and young professionals and facilitating their contribution to Africa’s socio-economic transformation.Get the Women in Science competition announcement here (updated as of May 15th, 2012): English version http://knowledge.cta.int/en/content/view/full/15382Version française http://knowledge.cta.int/fr/content/view/full/15382Get the Young Professional in Science competition announcement here (updated as of May 15th, 2012)English version http://knowledge.cta.int/en/content/view/full/15383Version française http://knowledge.cta.int/fr/content/view/full/15383Read the related concept note here:English Version http://knowledge.cta.int/en/Media/Multimedia/Concept-Note-2012-2013-Africa-Wide-Women-and-Young-Professionals-in-Science-CompetitionVersion française http://knowledge.cta.int/fr/Media/Multimedia/Concept-Note-2012-2013-Africa-Wide-Women-and-Young-Professionals-in-Science-Competition

8/03/2012

Women's empowerment in agriculture index

Women play a critical and potentially transformative role in agricultural growth in developing countries, but they face persistent obstacles and economic constraints limiting further inclusion in agriculture. The Index is a significant innovation in its field and aims to increase understanding of the connections between women’s empowerment, food security, and agricultural growth. It measures the roles and extent of women’s engagement in the agriculture sector in five domains: (i) Decisions about agricultural production; (ii) Access to and decision making power over productive resources; (iii) Control over use of income; (iv) Leadership in the community; and (v) Time use. It also measures women’s empowerment relative to men within their households. It allows us to identify women who are disempowered and understand how to increase autonomy and decision making in key domains.

8/03/2012

TWOWS Prizes 2011 for young women scientists in developing countries

Postgraduate Training Fellowships for Women Scientists from Sub-Saharan Africa and Least Developed Countries (LDC) at Centres of Excellence in the South. Deadline for applications: 30 April of each year. The Fellowship is offered to women scientists to purse postgraduate research in the following fields of basic sciences: biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics.

10/02/2009

International Women's Day 2011 | CGIAR Gender & Diversity Program and AWARD

Eighth of March 2011 is International Women's Day. The theme for this International Women’s Day is “Equal access to education, training, and science and technology: decent work for women.” AWARD, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development, is one of the successful initiative that supports women’s equality and advancement in the field of agricultural R.& D.For the occasion, Vicky Wilde, Director, CGIAR Gender & Diversity Program and AWARD, writes:"AWARD Fellows understand just how important the connection is between access to science and meaningful, profitable work for women. That is why they have dedicated their careers to conducting innovative research that is directly benefiting women and other smallholders."Read below the full text of Vicky Wilde's announcement.

8/03/2011

International Women's Day 2011 | "Women Farmers: Voiceless Pillars of African Agriculture"

Eighth of March 2011 is International Women's day. On this occasion, Dr Lindiwe Majele Sibanda, Chief Executive Officer and Head of Mission Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), writes how the 'Network' is hard at work to make sure the critical role that women farmers play in ensuring household food security is recognized. She writes:"As we mark the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future, it is unfortunate that it is only those women who enjoy a space and platform in academics, science, economics and politics who are celebrated and yet in Africa there is a deserving group of extraordinary women who still have no voice – the African women farmers."Read the full announcement below by Dr Lindiwe Majele Sibanda.

8/03/2011

AWARD : Call for Applications for 2011 Fellowships

AWARD call for applications is open. The AWARD Fellowship is a two-year program that offers a series of career-development resources that: establish a mentorship for each fellow with a senior scientist build science skills develop leadership capacity AWARD’s training courses, held over a two-year period, take place in various locations in Africa.Women agricultural scientists who are nationals of Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, or Zambia, who have completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in the disciplines listed below, are eligible to apply. Applicants must be available in Africa throughout the fellowship period. There is no age restriction.(Deadline: 25 March 2011)

17/02/2011

Research shows women own 2 % of arable lands in West, Central Africa

A study conducted by the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (WECARD) and published early November 2010 in Dakar, Senegal, found that women own less than two per cent of arable lands in West and Central Africa, although they are responsible for about 80 per cent of the agricultural production for the supply of households and markets. The study noted that women constitute about 70 per cent of agricultural workers and are producing 50 to 60 per cent of cattle breeding products. Ten per cent of agro-processors are women and they account for 60 to 90 per cent of trade in the rural areas. The study listed the problems women are confronted with including the burden of customary and traditional practices, the lack of access to credit, their limited participation in agricultural extension services and limited access to commercial facilities and services. The results will be used by WECARD to design the organization’s gender policy and strategy. (Source: Afriquejet, 6 November 2010).

1/12/2010

Women in Economic Research and Graduate Training in West Africa

In September 2010, the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC, Nairobi, Kenya) published its ‘Special Paper’ No.46. It features an article by Abena D. Oduro (from the Department of Economics at the University of Ghana in Legon, Ghana) in which the authors analyze the representation of women in AERC research programmes. This report on women in economic research and graduate training in West Africa summarizes the findings of studies conducted in Ghana and Liberia (Geegbae, 2007; Oduro, 2007). The reports on Ghana and Liberia are intended to provide the AERC with data and the information required to design specific strategies and activities to increase the participation of women. In this report, the population statistics of women and men in undergraduate and graduate economics programmes in Ghana and Liberia are detailed, then used to explain, along with results from female student surveys, a variety of phenomena such as preferred areas of specialization, plans after graduation, barriers to professional growth, and other challenges, like family responsibilities. A series of recommendations is given as conclusion to the report, covering identified needs such as the strengthening of capacity in quantitative methods, the production of more core textbooks by local researchers, and the increase in short and specialized courses. (Source: AERC; September 2010)

1/12/2010

Support for women scientists grows as agencies seek pathways for development, diplomacy

The regional meeting of the International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES) took place on 26-27 August 2010 at the headquarters of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Washington DC. Representatives from 11 countries, including England, Poland, France, Japan, South Korea, Rwanda, and Egypt attended the conference. The conference was ‘part of a much larger global effort to improve women's position in regard to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)...as well as to improve women's empowerment and development by way of STEM,’ said Shirley Malcom, director of Education and Human Resources at AAAS. It focused on workforce and economic development for women scientists and engineers. (Source: American Association for the Advancement of Science, 21 September 2010)

5/11/2010

The African Youth Forum on S&T Plan 2007-2010

3rd African Regional Youth Congress on Science and Technology: Call for papers

The African Youth Forum on Science and Technology (AYFST) and the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) in conjunction with the Technical Center for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation ACP-EU (CTA) announce the call for papers to the 3rd annual youth congress on science and technology, scheduled for 3 – 5 July 2007 in Kampala, Uganda. The annual youth congress on S&T is a forum for young professionals in agriculture, science, technology and innovation to discuss, share expertise and experiences on how to tap and utilize science, technology and innovation for Africa’s development. The theme for the 3rd Congress will be “enhancing the role of the youth in attaining the MDGs in Africa: implications for science, technology and innovation” and will showcase the contribution of the African youth towards attainment of the MDGs and suggest how their contribution can be enhanced and facilitated. Dealine submissions: 8 June 2007

25/05/2007