In line with the celebration of international women’s day, the embassy of France in Nigeria organized an exhibition in the bid the encourage the participation of women in the digital world.
With various contributions of women in science, we can not but mention some of this landmark as in the case of Lesotho’s Tebello Nyokong contribution to nanotechnology and photochemotherapy which paved the way for safer cancer detection and treatment, an alternative that kills cancer cells in the body without damaging other cells. Kenya’s Wangari Muta Maathai, founded the Green Belt movement, the largest movement against deforestation that helped plant over 50 million trees, and fight for humans’ rights and in particular women rights.
Madagascan, Zara Randriamanakoto co-founded the Malagasy Astronomy and Space Science association to promote astronomy among young students, and the global movement Ikala STEM that rallies about 300 women scientists across four continents that inspire girls and women to a career in science. She is one of the two female astrophysicists in Madagascar, and is currently investigating the formation, evolution and disruption mechanisms of massive star clusters. Francine Ntoumi worked to prevent the spread of diseases like Ebola, leading a project for the EU to fight the Ebola virus epidemic. She also started the project to encourage young girls to study sciences called Femmes & Sciences. Finally, Nigeria’s Ekanem Nkpi Braide credited with the eradication of guinea worm in Nigeria. Braide is also the current and first female president of the Nigerian Academy of Science since its establishment in 1944. All ten women received global science awards for the contributions to science.
I therefore use this medium to implore every one of us here today, every time you look at the images, think of the practical, sustainable ways we can engage and shift the needle on access. Think of sustainable, practical and innovative ways, we can engage with our partners, be it local or international to ensure that we have more girls in classrooms who are safe, beyond signing treaties and signing of partnerships.”said by the French Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Emmanuelle Blatmann.