salimata wade -
TRANSCRIPT
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 : [email protected]
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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