By Racheal Ngumi

On March 6, Mawazo Institute in collaboration with USIU-Africa through the Office of Gender Equity and Protection, launched the Status of African Women in Research report. Coinciding with International Women’s Day 2025 themed ‘Accelerate Action’, this event aimed to highlight the challenges and opportunities faced by African women in the research landscape.

In attendance was Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi who emphasized on the importance of asking the right questions in research, underscoring how this approach leads to meaningful discoveries, and Prof. Amos Njuguna, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Transformative Teaching Learning and Research who shared on the urgent need for gender equality in research, setting an empowering tone on women engagement in research.

This launch served as a vital platform for addressing gender disparities in academia and advocating for systemic change. The Chief Executive Officer of Mawazo Institute, Dr. Fiona Moejes who was also in attendance stated that the report goes beyond mere statistics. It reflects the real-life experiences of women researchers, showcasing their struggles, resilience, and triumphs. One striking statistic she shared was that 60% of African women researchers, self-fund their work relying on personal savings while governments allocate only about 0.3% of GDP to research.

Despite these challenges, the report also celebrated the determination and resilience of women researchers, showcasing a variety of research interests across disciplines, from agriculture and climate change to gender rights and governance. “As women we are built for resilience. We can do hard things, so we must take action!” said Ambassador Dr. Josephine Ojiambo, faculty member at the University of Nairobi.

The event featured a panel discussion on the importance of mentorship, the need for supportive research environments, and the significance of prioritizing mental wellness for women in academia. The discussions proved that mentorship goes beyond formal relationships; it involves building meaningful connections that foster growth.

As the event concluded, a powerful call to action resonated among attendees to cultivate a more inclusive, equitable, and thriving research ecosystem for African women. Participants acknowledged the necessity of policy reforms, increased funding, and structured mentorship programs tailored to women's needs.

The celebration not only marked the launch of an important report but also ignited a renewed commitment to advancing the status of women in research across Africa and Accelerating Action!