We are thrilled to share the wonderful news of the recent graduation of two exceptional women researchers. Dr. Elizabeth Benson, a 2018 Mawazo Fellow from Kenya, has successfully earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science from Strathmore University. Additionally, we celebrate the remarkable achievement of Dr. Aminata Dembele, a 2023 Fellow from Mali, who has obtained her Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI).

On behalf of the Mawazo Institute, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to these remarkable women and express our best wishes for their future research endeavours. We take pride in supporting these accomplished women and are delighted to play a role in bridging the gender gap within the research community.

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The monthly Fellows Check-in Meeting was convened on the 30th of May, featuring Dr. Clara Mundia as the guest speaker. Dr. Mundia, a seasoned research professional with over 15 years of experience in academic and professional research, shared valuable insights during the session. The primary aim of these meetings is to enhance Mawazo’s bond with its Fellows and promote connections among the Fellows themselves. 30 participants attended the session.

Dr. Mundia delved into her PhD journey, shedding light on her accomplishments, hurdles faced, and offering crucial advice to the fellows. Topics discussed included transitioning between jobs, garnering community support during the PhD process, managing family expectations while pursuing a PhD and career changes, dealing with stress in doctoral studies, and sustaining motivation throughout the PhD pursuit. The interactive nature of the session enabled the Fellows to connect with Dr. Mundia’s experiences and seek guidance on overcoming challenges in their academic and personal lives.

The Gender Lens For Researchers MicroCourse Live Event took place on June 13th with the primary goal of delving into the significance of integrating gender awareness within scientific research. Beryl A. Opiyo, an African feminist hailing from Kisumu, Kenya and currently serving as the Executive Director of Kisumu Feminists Society, spearheaded the discussion. The event attracted 32 Fellows who were guided through various topics including the advantages of adopting a gendered perspective in research, conducting gender-inclusive and sensitive research, exploring current movements and their impact on research, understanding intersectional feminism and collaboration, as well as addressing anti-rights movements and strategies for women researchers.

This event resonates with Mawazo’s overarching mission by urging participants to apply a “gender lens” to their research endeavours, enabling them to comprehend how biological sex and societal constructs of gender shape research methodologies, outcomes, and influence. This approach is particularly beneficial for female researchers who can draw upon their unique experiences to foster a more inclusive research environment.

University of Cape Town's Development and Alumni Department hosted an event on 31 May 2024, highlighting innovative projects by students, faculty, and researchers. The event celebrated achievements in research, social projects, and teaching.

Mbithe Nzomo, a 2023 Mawazo Fellow and a member of the University’s Artificial Intelligence Research Unit (AIRU), showcased the Unit’s efforts in capacity building, establishing AI ecosystems, contributing to socio-development projects, and providing strategic thought leadership on AI within South Africa and regionally. During her presentation, she highlighted her research on AI software for personal health monitoring using wearable sensor data, emphasising the importance of increasing the presence of African researchers in the field of AI. Post-event, several researchers expressed interest in collaboration, which she is eager to pursue.

Her research combines data-driven AI, like machine learning, with knowledge-driven methods to enhance personal health monitoring systems. This approach aims to leverage the strengths of both methods, making AI outputs more explainable and interpretable, crucial for the health sector.

In her research article titled “Shaping the Microbial Landscape: Parasitoid-Driven Modifications of Bactrocera dorsalis Microbiota,” Rehemah Gwokyalya’s study reveals that while P. cosyrae, a parasitoid, does not cause disease in B. dorsalis, when the fruit fly larvae are parasitized by D. longicaudata, there is a significant change in the composition of gut bacteria towards a community dominated by pathogenic microorganisms. This alteration potentially boosts the virulence of D. longicaudata against the fruit fly pest, thereby reinforcing its potential as an effective biological control agent for managing this frugivorous tephritid fruit fly pest.

Dr. Lilian Namuma S. Kong'ani underscores the pivotal role that women in West Pokot County, Kenya, play in peacebuilding efforts amidst the enduring intra and inter-community conflicts that have impeded the socio-economic advancement of the region. In her research article titled “Women’s multi-faceted roles in peacebuilding initiatives: Insights from pastoral communities in West Pokot County, Kenya,” she highlights the significance of employing gender-inclusive approaches to effectively address long standing conflicts and promote sustainable peace.

In the months of May and June 2024, Dr. Elizabeth Benson’s three research articles were published in reputable journals. The titles of these articles are as follows: ‘Retinopathy of prematurity Disease Diagnosis using Deep Learning”, “Incidence and Screening of retinopathy of Prematurity in Africa: A systematic Review” and “Retinal Image Quality assessment using morphological operations.

PhD journeys can be difficult without a good support system for researchers, be it from the institutions they work in, like-minded colleagues, family, friends, and access to resources that may be scarce. Tune in to our Mawazo Ideas Podcast to hear more about the importance of support in the life of our researchers!

2023 Mawazo Fellow Prossy Namuwulya takes us through a researcher’s journey in understanding a measles outbreak in the Northern Uganda district Lamwo. Read more here.  

2021 Mawazo Fellow Sahra Koshin is a passionate advocate for Somali women in research. We interviewed her about her work to spotlight, amplify, and support Somali women researchers. Read more here. 

In May 2024, The Citizen, a Tanzania based newspaper, ran an Opinion Piece by 2021 Mawazo Fellow, Rogia Gomez, on the importance of increasing biosecurity in poultry farming as a means for farmers to save money. The piece centers Rogia’s insights from her research, assessing the levels of biosecurity practices adoption in broiler farms in Tanzania’s Coastal Region. 

Read more here

I am deeply passionate about my role at Mawazo because I am embraced and valued within a team of innovative and forward-thinking individuals who continuously motivate me to evolve into an enhanced version of myself. The collaborative environment at Mawazo has provided me with invaluable opportunities to learn, grow, and refine my approach to communication through engaging with colleagues, Fellows, and Alumni.

The progressive ethos and inclusive work culture at Mawazo have nurtured my creative expression, offering me a platform to explore diverse media strategies. I eagerly anticipate leveraging these opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the impactful work undertaken by Mawazo.