International Day of Women and Girls in Science

In line with its mission to contribute to gender equity in the research field, every 11th February, MARCAD celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Initiated by the United Nations, this day aims to promote the access and participation of women and girls in science and to highlight their leading role in scientific and technical circles. On this occasion, our Postdoctoral fellow Dr Aminata Colle Lo, share with us some of her opinions about the challenges scientists women are facing and propose some solutions.

What motivated you to embrace a scientist career?

 As young girl, my ambition was to be a military. Growing up it changed, I started to like science subjects in secondary school. My passion for science became stronger by the time. I loved to spend time at the Department of Parasitology of the University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar (UCAD), where I learned the basis of fundamental research especially focused on Malaria, Leishmaniasis and Schistosomiasis with studies on clinical trials and strategies on malaria control and elimination. I participated in many research activities as a molecular biologist and I ended up falling in love with Research.

According to you, what are the major challenges that women researchers face during their careers?

Personal factors like confidence, maternity and institutional factors like working time flexibility, female management policies are significant challenges which can affect balance life-work therefore productivity of female researchers.

How to encourage more women and girls to pursue a career in science?

The presence of mentors can help female graduates to pursue successful careers in a variety of science areas. Mentors are able to inform mentee(s) about different disciplines which can change their attitudes towards science by encouraging them and opportunities to learn, tapping into scientific skills that they could choose for their career. Financial support, including scholarships, grants and company sponsorships, could be offered to support more female students’ scientist from lower income backgrounds. The good thing is that many current programs focus on increasing young girls’ interest in Scientifics fields.

About Dr Aminata Colle Lo:

http://www.marcad-africa.org/index.php/research-programs/post-doc/345-aminata-colle-lo