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‘Women can also excel in science’

 

Malawi African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (Maward) says the institutions mentorship programmes in the sub-Saharan region have proved that women are capable of excelling in sciences.

Maward vice-chairperson S’busisiwe Kamanga-Limuwa said this yesterday during the launch of the chapter, which is affiliated to the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (Award) at Bunda College in Lilongwe.

It is a career development programme that seeks to equip top women agricultural scientists across sub-Saharan Africa to help accelerate agricultural gains by strengthening their leadership skills.

 

Kamanga-Limuwa: Women can make it in science

Said Kamanga-Limuwa: “We have research fellows, mentors and mentees who have made significant changes in different agriculture institutions and occupying positions that initially, only men would. The fact that very few women take up leadership roles in the country’s agricultural sector does not have to mean that the uptake of the sciences in schools among girl students is low.”

She, however, admitted that the high concentration of women found on the farm as compared to those in leadership or policy making position in most African economies that rely on agriculture, including Malawi, does promote the notion that science is not for women.

In her remarks, Nairobi-based Award deputy director responsible for programmes Michelle Mbo’o-Tchouawou said the initiative deserves support from all stakeholders as it stands to benefit the region socio-economically.

“Basically, that’s why they have launched this chapter today. The intervention is multi-faceted. The institution is also contributing to the 50-50 Gender Campaign as we are empowering women. We are doing it from the agricultural perspective.  At the same time, we are not leaving the men behind. We are recognising that we can tap certain skills from them,” she said.

Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development chief director Yanira Ntupanyama has welcomed the establishment of the local chapter.

She urged the institution to ensure it promotes relevant research. n

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