These efforts on ‘science in and for society’ also include the need to build the next
generation of scientists—scientists who can understand complex problems through
interdisciplinary approaches; scientists who are able to provide advice to policy makers in a meaningful, timely, and non-judgmental manner.
Inclusive capacity building
AWMA has also organized workshops on Sage , the leading accounting software
“We have done it in Senegal, Nigeria and Uganda. This year [2024], we will organize
it in Burundi. Maybe next year it will be in South Africa.” These events were well received,
with participants using the software for both research and teaching. “The response
has been positive,” said Ouedraogo. “Participants always ask us to organize more activities in different countries, and we try to include all regions of Africa.”
Although AWMA’s
mission is to promote women’s participation in mathematics, its activities are inclusive. ”
In workshops, most of the instructors are women,” Ouedraogo explained. “But among the
participants, we include men advertising database and women. Especially if it’s aimed at students,
doctoral or master’s students, we make sure that there are men and women. It’s not just for women, but we’re trying to involve as many women as possible.”
This strategy
stems from a practical workshop: opportunities and challenges of productive ai for managers and leaders reality: there are few women mathematicians in Africa, and manyare excluded from decision-making positions. “When you organize activities, it’s a challenge to get funding without the participation of men,” Ouedraogo said. He sees that as women and men work together every day in labs and classrooms “If we take them out, they can line data create obstacles. Therefore, it is better to involve them and cooperate.”
Making African women into virtual figures
AWMA also promotes role models and increases the visibility of African women mathematicians through various initiatives, including the publication of a photobook of female mathematicians from across the continent. “We did not realize that we have so many examples of mathematics in Africa,” said Dr. Ouedraogo. They were there, but they weren’t visible! The booklet aims to encourage young girls to pursue mathematics by showcasing successful women. “When you have a good role model, you see someone succeed, and you ask yourself, ‘Why not me?’ I will try, maybe I will succeed like him.”
When I was a student,
the only woman I saw in science was Marie Curie. He was very popular, but he wasn’t even into math—he studied physics and chemistry. That was the only example we had. Unfortunately, he was not from our country – we lived in a different culture.
The booklet also serves another important purpose: to remind female mathematicians, who often find themselves in the minority in male-run labs, that they are not alone. “They can read the stories and think, ‘I will get inspiration from him to solve the challenges I face,'” adds Ouedraogo.
In addition
to its regional impact, AWMA is highly visible on the international stage. It maintains strong links with the Committee of Women in Mathematics (CWM) and actively participates in the World Conference of Women in Mathematics. This satellite event of the International Conference of Mathematicians, held every four years, provides a forum for AWMA to share knowledge and provide information on the state of mathematics in Africa.
Personal success and community involvement
The work of Marie Françoise Ouedraogo has had a major impact on the mathematics community in Africa, especially in creating opportunities for women. By founding the AWMA, she ensured that African women mathematicians had a platform to share knowledge, collaborate, and advocate for their inclusion in the field.
His success
story is not just about overcoming obstacles but about creating an environment for others to succeed. Through her leadership, women mathematicians across Africa have gained access to resources, networks, and opportunities that were rare before, paving the way for the next generation of women in mathematics.