Gender imbalances shape women’s lives across Africa, and the world. Addressing these disparities is crucial for fostering equitable development and empowering women.
On 18 July, Dr Nkem Khumbah, Head of STI Policy Systems, Governance and Partnerships at the African Academy of Sciences (AAS), shared his insights during the Gender Power in Africa webinar hosted by Gallup and Porticus.
Dr. Khumbah emphasized that education is a key enabler in addressing gender disparities. Access to and quality of education varies across African countries, with significant gender gaps. "Education is the critical equalizer of disparities across societies," he noted. Targeted support for girls, especially during their teenage years, can significantly influence their future outcomes.

Cultural practices play a significant role in shaping gender disparities. While these practices are valuable, they can also contribute to inequalities. Dr. Khumbah highlighted the need for economic support for women to alleviate the burdens they face, particularly in their teenage years. "Support for women organizations that provide economic aid can ease the burden and give them the time to think about other things in their lives, including going to school," he said.

At the African Academy of Sciences, we have a fellowship of over 600 scientists and scholars. And those scientists who are female, they are senior in their fields, they have PhDs, they have postdocs, they are high-end practitioners. When we speak with them, a key factor that enabled them to become top scientists or top scholars was that they received some support along the way, something that enabled them to progress; someone that was an enabling factor along the way in their career trajectory. If one can just push that down a little bit forward, towards the high school level, and provide targeted support to mitigate the socio-economic problems that our young girls face

Dr. Khumbah recommended several strategies to empower women and girls:
Targeted Programs - Implementation of specific programs that intentionally support women and girls. These programs should be backed by substantive funding to ease economic burdens that disproportionately weigh on women.
Scholarships and Awards - Provide scholarships and awards specifically for girls, particularly in STEM fields. Recognizing and encouraging young women who have excelled can make education and science more appealing.
Supportive Environment - Foster a supportive environment for women in science and education. This includes providing material and financial support to help them overcome the unique challenges they face.
By addressing gender power imbalances through education and economic support, we can pave the way for a more equitable and empowered future for all. The African Academy of Sciences remains committed to transforming lives through science and supporting initiatives that promote gender equality across the continent.