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Project

Strengthening the capacities of science granting councils in gender and inclusivity
 

Botswana
Burkina Faso
Ethiopia
Ghana
Ivory Coast
Kenya
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
Rwanda
Senegal
South Africa
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Project ID
109468
Total Funding
CAD 1,562,456.00
IDRC Officer
Souleymane Thiam
Project Status
Active
Duration
30 months

Programs and partnerships

Lead institution(s)

Project leader:
Heidi van Rooyen
South Africa

Summary

The Science Granting Councils Initiative in sub-Saharan Africa (SGCI) is a multi-donor initiative supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, IDRC, South Africa’s National Research Foundation, and the GermanRead more

The Science Granting Councils Initiative in sub-Saharan Africa (SGCI) is a multi-donor initiative supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, IDRC, South Africa’s National Research Foundation, and the German Research Foundation. Since its inception in 2015, the Initiative has been strengthening the capacities of science granting councils (SGCs) in 15 countries in sub-Saharan Africa to support research and evidence-based policies that will contribute to their economic and social development.

Specifically, the Initiative is strengthening the ability of participating councils to manage research; design and monitor research programs, and formulate and implement policies based on the use of robust science, technology, and innovation indicators; support knowledge transfer to the private sector; and establish partnerships among councils and with other science system actors. The second phase of the SGCI (SGCI-2), from 2018–2023, is more demand-led and responds to the priorities identified by the councils individually and collectively. It deepens the work towards the four objectives above in addition to promoting the cross-cutting theme of gender equality and inclusivity.

This project will assist participating councils to become more gender-responsive and inclusive organizations that support research and research environments and promote policies and practices in science, technology, and innovation that are gender-transformative and inclusive. This includes identifying capacities and needs of the participating organizations, providing action-based learning opportunities, and developing mechanisms and an evidence base to monitor and evaluate the impact of gender and inclusivity initiatives.

Research outputs

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Brief
Language:

English

Summary

Gender inequality in Malawi is associated with deep-rooted inequitable laws, norms, and practices, hampering women and girls' access to opportunities, resources, and power. Unequal gender roles and unequal power relations between men and women persist across all social institutions, giving rise to multiple forms of discrimination against women, illustrated in the country's poor performance on various gender-disaggregated socio-economic development indices (Table 1). Strengthening Gender and Inclusivity in STI highlights the contextual factors driving gender and inclusivity disparities in science, technology and innovation (STI) in Malawi and options and strategies for addressing disparity gaps in some of UNESCO’s STEM and Gender Advancement (SAGA) policy impact areas.

Author(s)
Middleton, L.
Brief
Language:

English

Summary

Strengthening Gender and Inclusivity in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) highlights the contextual factors driving disparities in STI in Namibia. Women and girls, in particular adolescent girls continue to experience gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, and restrictive socio-cultural norms limiting full exercise of human and women’s rights. Key gender indicators and contributing factors are provided in Table 1. Namibia has adopted the National Gender Policy (2010-2020), which aims to steer actions toward integrating and mainstreaming gender perspectives in the broader development framework.

Author(s)
Essop, R.
Brief
Language:

English

Summary

Strengthening Gender and Inclusivity in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) highlights factors driving gender and inclusivity disparities in Botswana, along with options and strategies for addressing disparity gaps: social norms and stereotypes; education (primary, secondary and tertiary); the career progression environment; research content and practice; policy; and entrepreneurship and innovation. Gender disparities in Botswana are mainly due to reproductive health, empowerment, culture, and the labour market that hinders women and girls' access to opportunities, resources, and power. The Abolition of the Marital Power Act 2004 provides for equal rights and status of women and men in marriage. The country profile measures challenges and progress using various statistical indicators.

Author(s)
Isaacs, N.
Brief
Language:

English

Summary

The purpose of this rapid review is to identify gender and inclusivity strategies, frameworks and initiatives undertaken by the Science Granting Council Initiative (SGCI) during the first phase of the SGCI, and their effects on advancing an intersectional approach to gender and inclusivity in SGCI-2 activities. Systematically emphasizing gender and inclusivity over the course of SGCI-1 highlighted gaps in diversity knowledge and practices in Phase 1 thematic areas, providing motivation and an evidence-base for strengthening gender and inclusivity in Phase 2.

Author(s)
Middleton, L.
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About the partnership

Partnership(s)

Science Granting Councils Initiative in sub-Saharan Africa

Science granting councils perform crucial functions that contribute to the effective and efficient functioning of national science, technology and innovation (STI) systems.