While research programs seem to be the ultimate tools in solving various problems in Africa, it has been observed that women are still lagging behind in such academia and scholarly undertakings on the continent.
To address that, ‘The More Women in Research Manifesto,’ has just been launched in Tanzania as a side event during the Youth Leadership (YouLead) Africa 2024 summit, taking place at the Pan-African training Center (MS-TCDC) in Arusha Region.
“The More Women in Research Manifesto,’ is a powerful call to action aimed at addressing the significant underrepresentation of women in academia and research at all levels, particularly in Africa,” said Professor Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, the Ugandan lawyer, academic and judge, who also serves as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Uganda.
“An increase of influential women researchers is extremely important in advancing the continent’s development agenda,” pointed out Professor Tibatemmwa-Ekirikubinza, during the launching of the Manifesto in Arusha.
‘The More Women in Research Manifesto,’ according to the organizers of YouLead conference, was initially drafted by 50 women researchers primarily from across the African continent during the previous Women in Research engagement seminars, co-organised by Danida Fellowship Centre, MS TCDC, and YouLead Africa.
“The manifesto acknowledges the vast scope and complexity of the issue while also offering key recommendations targeted at eight crucial stakeholder groups: women in research, government bodies, higher education and research institutions, publishers, funding organisations, the private sector, civil society, and the media,” explained the moderator, Jamillah Mohammed one of the participants who is a journalist working for Royal Media in Kenya.
On the other hand, YouLead is Africa’s largest and most diverse youth forum co-hosted by the East African Community and MS Training Centre for Development Cooperation under the Patronage of former Tanzanian President, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.
This year’s summit returns under the theme igniting the Potential of Africa’s Youthful Population: Reinstating Education as an Eminent Public Good.
“The YouLead forum of 2024 has attracted more than 300 participants,” explained the Head of Programs and Training at MS TCDC, Dr Said Omari, adding that the event holds the prospects to bring together young people in the African continent.
“In attendance there are youth-led and youth serving organizations, governments, development partners and relevant stakeholders to deliberate on the state of affairs of African education and its relevance,” Omar stated.
On her part the Tanzanian Youth Envoy at the East African Community, Hope Kacheri said the participants have been using the YouLead forums to examine emerging issues related to socioeconomic development, evaluation of traditional practices and leveraging on traditional and Pan-African knowledge to stimulate home-grown solutions.
The outcomes of the Summit will serve as an invaluable resource for key actors as they consider the structure of Africa’s curricula, development plans and major education concerns that affect the continent in-depth. These will include methodologies, motivation, literacy, and professional development for the young population on the African continent.