Africa-Press – Lesotho. L’Oreal Foundation and UNESCO have recognised 30 African women scientists, among them two Batswana, at the 14th L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Awards held in Kasane on Thursday.
The awards enable laureates from 17 African countries to benefit from financial support to help them conduct research projects through a P150 000 grant for PhD candidates and P217 000 for post-doctoral researchers.
Delivering a keynote address at the awards ceremony, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said the social barriers and inequalities that had been constructed for years to undermine women’s scientific, technological and innovative capacities must be systematically demolished.
“Knowledge generation in the science and technology fields cannot be the realm of men alone at the exclusion of participation by women hence our participation, as a nation, and it is more encouraging that amongst the 2023 laureates two are from Botswana,” he said.
He stated that there was need to promote and enhance the status of women in science, technology and engineering around the world as women could bring new perspectives and increase the pool of talented researchers.
He pointed out that although women accounted for half of the world’s population, less than 30 per cent of the world’s researchers were women. Dr Masisi stated that United Nations acknowledged the importance of gender equality as being instrumental to the achievement of seven of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
He said Botswana prioritised the support and capacitation of women and the girl-child through various legal instruments and policies that supported women.
“The choice of Botswana by LÓreal Foundation and UNESCO to host this year’s celebration is line with our national ideals and aspirations of building a knowledge based society and I commend young researchers for your dedication, perseverance, and passion for your work,” Dr Masisi said.
He lauded LÓreal and UNESCO for their unwavering dedication in fostering the growth and development of young women in Botswana, and the region at large.
LÓreal Foundation CEO Ms Alexandra Palt, stated that the young scientists had to overcome barriers and personal hardships in order to get to this level of excellence.
“Being a woman in science is never easy.
Stereotypes, discrimination, glass ceiling, and sexual harassment exist everywhere, and in Africa we find additional barriers like insufficient investment in science and research institutions, and attributed roles to women and girls,” Ms Palt said.
She asserted that there was need to build societies in which women scientists could fully contribute, be heard and seen. Head of Science Unit, UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa, Prof Martiale Kana stated said the laureates were an embodiment of excellence, who would inspire generations to come.
He highlighted that investment in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics was critical for nations to achieve a knowledge-based society. He encouraged the scientists to unlock their potential and invest in their communities through their research projects.
Botswana’s laureate, Ms Mesha Mbisana, a doctoral student in Analytical Chemistry, stated that her research work aimed to improve the safety of food crops by removing harmful toxins for a healthy community.
She said being a woman scientist was a noble career path that helped her push barriers and empower other women to pursue their passions and bridge the gender gap in the science field.
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