FWIS Rewards 20 African Female Scientists for their Brilliance & Achievements

 

Women have been placed behind in so many areas – politics, industry, lifestyle and much more. So when Fondatin L’Oréal decided to partner with UNESCO to celebrate and build up African women, it was a welcomed idea. And on Thursday 25th November 2021, 20 African female Scientists from Sub-Saharan Africa were rewarded and placed on the world stage for their brilliance at the For Women In Science (FWIS)event.

20 PhD holders, from Medicine, Mathematics and Life & Environmental Sciences to Physics and Agricultural Sciences and Formal Sciences, were awarded for their efforts in their various fields in a wonderful ceremony.

The event kicked off with a thrilling Rwandan dance performance and then the hosts for the evening, TV Personality – Makeda Mahadeo and Author & Journalist – Sylvére-Henry Cisé welcomed guests. The Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer & Vice President of Fondation L’Oréal, Alexadra Palt gave a speech highlighting the role of platforms like theirs. The Regional Director for UNESCO, Professor Hubert Gijzen then welcomed guests and congratulated the night’s awardees.

As guests enjoyed delicately prepared starters and mains, the event flowed into a panel discussion. Alexandra Palt of Fondation L’Oréal, Jane Catherine Ngila (Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Charge of Academics), and 2 2021 Laureates – Lenye Dlamini (Biologist) and Vinnie Kouamou (Life & Environmental Scientist). During the panel, they weighed in on how women can become more citing the experiences of the 2 Laureates.

Next up was the awards presentation. The Young Talents of 2021 were rewarded for their excellence from East to West then to Central Africa and Southern Africa. Each laureate received a stunning award to commemorate the occasion. We were especially excited to see 4 female Scientists from Nigeria – Adekemi Adesulu (Post-Doctorate, Biological Sciences), Motunrayo Coker (PhD Student, Life & Environmental Sciences), Lois Okereke (PhD Student, Formal Sciences) and Ibukunoluwa Adetutu Olajide (PhD Student, Electrical Engineering, Information  Engineering).

With all the promising projects and experiments present at the event, we can’t wait to see how each Young Talent’s project progresses.

Congratulations to each and every one of these inspiring women.