WOMEN AND SCIENCE
Prof. Yalemtsehay Mekonnen and Prof. Evelyn Fogwe Chibaka
Follow an insight interview Published in the Alumniportal DEUTSCHLAND , conducted by Hendrik Bensch of Two African researchers talk about unconventional career paths, the peculiarities of the continent, and their fighting spirit in an all exclusive interview.
Interview
Professor Mekonnen, you made your way “from a tiny meek girl in a small town” to a big figure in the academic world, as somebody once described it. What has helped you on this way?
Yalemtsehay Mekonnen: I think I was lucky because I had the chance to go to school. My parents were able to provide me with the basic needs and motivated me all the time. Moreover, I am a person who wants to excel, I want to do the best wherever I can and I work hard for it. I was always interested in learning; this has always been my passion and still is.
Professor Yalemtsehay Mekonnen
64 years old , from Ethiopia, East Africa
Field of research: Physiology
Yalemtsehay Mekonnen has been sponsored by a Georg Forster Research Fellowship by the Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation. She is forming president of the Humboldt Alumni Club in Ethiopia . Since 2016 she acts as the Foundation's Ambassador Scientist in Ethiopia . She recieved a Humboldt Alumni Award for Innovative Networking Initiatives in 2018 for her project " Creating a network of female academics and researchers in Ethiopia".
There is a desperate effort to increase the number of female researchers, not only in Ethiopia, but also in other parts of Africa and the world. What support do women need to pursue an academic career and what contribution can the state, the academic system, mentors and the family make?
Mekonnen: Yes, despite the efforts, there is still a gap in academia. There are only a few women who make it to the highest level of an academic career, that is leading research projects and being awarded full professorship positions. Women shoulder responsibilities from the home to the workplace. Governments have to implement policies that help female researchers engage in research by providing them with specific support packages. For example, extended maternity leave and the opportunity to work from home. In Ethiopia’s higher education system, there are some policies that favor female researchers. Although there is progress in supporting women, there is still a lot to be done.
Professor Fogwe Chibaka, you stand up for equal rights because, you said, as a mother and wife, you often had to make compromises. Is this a structural issue in African countries?
Professor Evelyn Fogwe Chibaka
54 years old , from Cameroon , West Africa
Field of Research: Linguistics
Professor Evelyn Fogwe Chibaka has been sponsored by a Georg Forster Research Fellowship by the Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation. In January 2019, she organized a Humboldt Kolleg in Yaounde on the subject "Mindset Change and Empowerment of Professional Cameroonian Women for Development" with the subsequent foundation of the platform "Cameroon Professional Research Oriented Women" (CaPROW) Association . In 2020, CaPROW has received a Humboldt Alumni Award for Innovation Networking Initiatives.
Evelyn Fogwe Chibaka: Yes. There are sociocultural and traditional problems that affect women in general. For example, if a woman is engaged in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, many people look at her like: you are out of place! There are also marital constraints: if you are a married mother, you do not only have to take care of your children but also your husband. That is what African society expects from you. So, if you want to be seriously engaged in research as a woman, you have to put in a lot more effort than men.
What has to Change?
Fogwe Chibaka: In order to bring about a significant change and make an impact on the development of women in science, three different levels have to be taken care of. First, on an individual level, we have to start with us, the women. We have to change our mindset. We have to determine what we want as individuals. We need to understand that we do not belong where society is placing us. We can do much better! So, firstly, we have to empower ourselves.
Secondly, on the marital level, we have to apply wisdom and diplomacy. We should not forget that society has its norms and traditions. If we can prove that we can manage the housework, childcare and still work productively in research, this will motivate society to question some cultural and traditional norms.