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Building science skills to improve the contributions of women to agricultural research and development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Mukhebi, Dorothy
  • de Villiers, Santie
  • Okoth, Sheila
  • Wilde, Vicki
  • Nkwake, Apollo M.

Abstract

Building the capacity of African women scientists to raise their contributions to agricultural research and development is critical to ensuring food security in sub-Saharan Africa. The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development program developed a tailored capacity development program to contribute to this. We discuss the rationale and theory of change for the program, as well as the extent to which participants demonstrated science-related outcomes, including capabilities to: conduct research, conduct gender responsive research, fundraise, and to present research findings. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of the program on a sample of 122 women. Results show increased capacity on each of the outcomes from before to after the program. Most participants (93 percent) indicated that program played a strong role in the changes they experienced. Qualitative analysis confirmed this in all the cases. Key lessons for the design and implementation of women's science capacity development programs are highlighted.

Suggested Citation

  • Mukhebi, Dorothy & de Villiers, Santie & Okoth, Sheila & Wilde, Vicki & Nkwake, Apollo M., . "Building science skills to improve the contributions of women to agricultural research and development in Sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of Gender, Agriculture and Food Security (Agri-Gender), Africa Centre for Gender, Social Research and Impact Assessment, vol. 2(01).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:afgend:262296
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.262296
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Behrman, Julia & Beintema, Nienke & Biermayr-Jenzano, Patricia & Meinzen-Dick, Ruth & Noordeloos, Marco & Quisumbing, Agnes & Ragasa, Catherine & Wilde, Vicki, 2011. "Engendering agricultural research, development, and extension," Research reports ruthmeinzen-dick, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    2. Jennifer Hunt, 2016. "Why do Women Leave Science and Engineering?," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 69(1), pages 199-226, January.
    3. David Forbes, 2015. "The Science of Why," Palgrave Macmillan Books, Palgrave Macmillan, number 978-1-137-50204-9, October.
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