Role of African women researchers in nutrition and food

security

Several African countries have recognized the important role of women in the economic future of their country. They also have recognized the importance of encouraging woman’s education, training and research in science, technology, and innovation

Promoting the access of girls to science and high level education automatically results in long-term positive effects on the person, the family and the society as a whole

Nutrition and food security are key components of health, of social and economic development, especially in Africa, but most often, these areas are left behind in training and research

Role of African women researchers in nutrition and food security

Constraints in African countries are dual and concern1- The scarcity of scientific courses in the area of

Agronomy, Food security and Nutrition in African Universities

2- Women's access to these training For example, country such as Senegal has no

Agricultural University, and agricultural and food technology research institutes are not linked to the largest university of the country i.e. UCAD. However, fortunately the situation is changing by now

Nutrition and food security, which are broad areas including several disciplines, are found partly in two Departments : Animal Biology and Plant Biology of the Faculty of Sciences of the university UCAD

Role of African women researchers in nutrition and food

securityThe number of women researchers working as

professional in these Departments is still vey low; During the academic year 2012-13

The major problem of women in science is not only women's access to higher education but also their academic career

African women researchers can play an essential role by promoting or initiating changes

Departments

Professors W/Total

LecturersW/Total

Assistant- professorsW/Total

Total

Animal Biology

1/9 3/7 5/12 28

Plant Biology

1/6 1/5 4/15 26

Role of African women researchers in nutrition and food

securityHow to promote changes

Each senior scientific woman can promote change in her specific field through advocacy and her own image (woman’s success boost the image of woman and make them more attractive as a model for young female students) but the main challenge to promote change is action

Actions in the field of nutrition and food security can be achieved by :

Supporting woman innovative research that meet the community expectations in nutrition and food security (with funding expected from internal and external sources)

Increasing human resources “by women training women” on agriculture, nutrition and food security at the university level

Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar - Sénégal

Faculté des Sciences et TechniquesDépartement de Biologie Animale

Laboratoire de Nutrition

MASTER /DOCTORAT in

FOOD AND HUMAN NUTRITION

Initiated and directed by Pr Salimata Wade, a senior woman researcher Téléphone : +221 77 516 46 08

Email : secretariat.labonutrition@ucad.edu.sn

Role of African women researchers in nutrition and food security:

Initiative at UCAD

Background of the TrainingLack of expertise particularly in training and research are one of the main reasons why malnutrition in West Africa is not sufficiently tackled. In view of the size and seriousness of the problem in Sub-Saharan Africa, investment in human resources is critical

In 1998, a senior women researcher and her colleagues decided to implement the training at the Faculty of Sciences in the Department of Animal Biology, then develop strategies to include more women

Role of African women researchers in nutrition and

food security

Objectives of the initiative

Strengthen capacity building in human nutrition (training, research and innovation) in Senegal as well as in Sub-Saharan region

Develop facilities to carry out locally laboratory-based research or clinical and field studies

Maintain high standards endogenous research and training at the university of Dakar

Generate a regional and valuable expertise in food and human nutrition science

Role of African women researchers in nutrition and

food security

Role of African women researchers in nutrition and

food security

This innovation set up at the University of Dakar by a woman researcher has paid off

From 2000 to 2014, 50 students were Master graduated in Food and Human Nutrition , of them 31 were women (62%). All graduates have found employment consistent with their skills

From 2001-2013, 7 women over 11 were PhD graduated in Food and Human Nutrition and have found employment consistent with their skills, one of them was hired by the university and is working in the Nutrition laboratory

A reference laboratory was set up at the faculty, thanks to external funds

Results of the initiative

FTIR for deuterium measurment

AAS for mineral analysis

HPLC for Vitamin A and E analysis

Role of African women researchers in nutrition and

food security

Role of African women researchers in nutrition and

food security

In conclusion, the African woman scientist , who has acquired a high level of competence can impact on women's access to crucial areas as nutrition and food security

This is true for all other disciplines

Thank you for your attention

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