News

As the international community celebrates women, another window opens to remind us not only of the many gender disparities existing in our communities today, but also to allow us to reflect on how women can drive technological innovation and science.

Within the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF), the emphasis is on empowering women, to stimulate the research they need and increase their proportion as beneficiaries of its projects.

From an end-user perspective, for example, current data shows that more women have accessed, adopted and used innovative technologies to improve agricultural productivity in West Africa, over the period 2013-2016.

"The progress made by women in adopting technologies and innovations has been impressive, with data approaching gender parity in several areas," concluded a completion report from a project implemented by CORAF.

Read also: Women shine in technology adoption

With regard to the empowerment of women, particularly young scientists in West and Central Africa, CORAF has undertaken to build up a critical mass to conduct research that meets the needs of women in both regions.

For example, since 2008, three out of ten researchers trained under the West African Agricultural Productivity Program (PPAAO) have been women.

See also: WAPP beneficiaries

CORAF wishes the courageous women of West and Central Africa a happy Women's Day.