Perspectives on gender in STI – a review of Sub-Saharan Africa’s SGCs and achieving the SDGs

Across Africa, science, technology, and innovation (STI) are gaining momentum as powerful drivers of development. Governments, institutions, and funders now recognize that inclusive research systems are crucial to addressing the continent’s challenges and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, one issue still needs urgent attention—gender equality in science.

A new research study takes a close look at how gender is being addressed by Africa’s Science Granting Councils (SGCs). It explores what they’re doing, what’s working, and what needs to change.

What the Study Covers

This research focused on 15 SGCs that are part of the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI). These national councils are responsible for managing research funding, supporting innovation, and shaping science, technology, and innovation (STI) policies. The study asked: How are SGCs supporting gender equality? Are women getting equal access to research funding and opportunities? Are gender issues considered in the research that gets funded?

To answer these questions, the research team used three methods:

1. Desktop reviews of national policies and previous gender studies.
2. Focus group discussions with SGC leaders from the 15 countries.
3. Bibliometric analysis, or a review of scientific publications to understand patterns in gender-related research and collaborations.

Key Findings: Gender in STI

The study found that most SGCs recognize gender equality as necessary, but translating that into action remains uneven.

• More men than women work at SGCs, especially in senior roles.
• Most research grants go to men, and they are more likely to receive larger amounts.
• Only a few SGCs have dedicated programs to support women in research.
• Gender is often overlooked in research content, even when projects focus on issues that affect women.

Notably, the study also noted that structural challenges, such as limited funding, weak policies, and cultural barriers, hinder SGCs’ ability to promote gender equality fully.

What’s Being Done

Even though progress is slow, some SGCs are taking essential steps:

• In Kenya, Zambia, and Senegal, targeted scholarships support women in science.
• Malawi and Ethiopia have programs for mentoring and training women researchers.
• Some councils are including gender considerations in calls for proposals or tracking data to see who benefits from funding.

Despite these efforts, many SGCs struggle with low participation from women, partly due to confidence issues, family obligations, and outdated institutional cultures.

Why This Matters

Gender equality is more than a fairness issue. It’s about making science better. Diverse research teams produce stronger, more innovative solutions. When women are included, research can better reflect the needs of the whole population. This helps countries progress toward SDG5 (Gender Equality) and other global goals.

Additionally, STI systems that empower both women and men are more likely to create jobs, drive economic growth, and solve problems like food insecurity, climate change, and health crises.

The Way Forward

To build more inclusive STI systems, the study makes several recommendations:

• SGCs should develop and implement gender policies that go beyond numbers and focus on culture change.
• More funding and programs must target women researchers, especially in male-dominated fields.
• Training and mentoring should support women’s leadership in science.
• STI indicators must include gender data to inform decisions and track progress.
• Men must also be engaged as allies in the push for gender equality.

Most importantly, SGCs must see themselves not just as funders but as change agents. They have the power to shape who gets to do science—and what kind of science gets done.

In Summary

This study offers a clear message: Africa cannot afford to leave women behind in science. If SGCs embrace their role in advancing gender equality, they can help build a future where science and innovation work for everyone. The journey has started, but there’s still a long road ahead—and every step forward counts.