New report: The Status of African Women in Research

The Mawazo Institute is a women-led organisation supporting early-career African women researchers to contribute important evidence-based solutions and a critical perspective to pressing development needs.

The Status of African Women in Research Report, published by The Mawazo Institute, draws on data from the 2023 Mawazo Fellowship applications and the accompanying Academic Needs Survey. It examines the current state of African women researchers, particularly those pursuing doctoral studies and highlights the challenges they face along the way. It also advocates for strategic interventions to promote gender equality and empower women in research across the continent.

A major barrier is funding, with 60% of PhD candidates relying on personal savings, and many citing limited institutional or external support. 15% received funding from their own university, 10% from other academic institutions within Africa, and 16% from other sources such as government, philanthropic, and professional organisations. An overwhelming 75% of the applicants were primary caregivers, with 98% of those caregivers reporting that the lack of funding had an impact on their research work.

To address these issues, the report recommends:

• Increasing targeted funding initiatives to address the financial barriers faced by African women PhD candidates, particularly caregivers.

• Developing tailored support programmes to facilitate both intra- and inter-continental mobility for women researchers.

• Investing in mentorship, career guidance, and training programmes to equip women with the necessary skills and resources.

Additionally, policies and initiatives should be developed to address gendered responsibilities, ageism, and disabilities within academic institutions.

By addressing these systemic challenges, we can unlock their potential and contribute to the advancement of research and development on the continent.

Download the report here.