5 Kenyan women among scientists recognized for Covid-19 innovation

Released on Friday, February 11th in commemoration of International Day of Girls and Women in Science, the second issue in Mawazo Institute’s Breaking Barriers series profiled an amazing cohort of African female scientists who are helping the region respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in a bid to recognize their contribution.

From medical doctors who have turned to journalism to battle rampant COVID-19 misinformation, to scientists working in laboratories to better understand the SARS COV-2 virus, to engineers creating African solutions to African problems, to academics offering solutions for food insecurity and improved education, and health workers seeing the effects of the disease in the faces of their patients, the publication highlighted the work of Africa’s women scientists in building the continent’s resilience during this unprecedented global moment.

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“In Sub-Saharan Africa, where only 31 percent of researchers are women, the story of the COVID-19 pandemic involves incredible women scientists whose work has had immeasurable impact in their fields – and across the region. The fourteen impressive women featured in this book have turned their expertise into innovation in the continent’s fight against COVID-19,” noted the publication’s lead writer Naliaka Odera.

Among the 14 scientists are five Kenyan women – Dr. Jemimah Njuki, Dr. Mercy Korir, Yariwo Kitiyo, Dr. Jennifer Mabuka-Maroa, and Dr. Esther Ngumbi – but science knows no borders. Also featured in Breaking Barriers are women scientists living and working in South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania, Egypt, and the United States.

Read more about the amazing scientists, including individual posters HERE and check out the first issue of Mawazo Institute’s Breaking Barriers publications HERE.

Featured image: Dr Mercy Korir, courtesy of Business Today