GoFoWiSeR 2018
The year 2018 was exciting for African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) as we marked a decade since the founding of our flagship initiative, the AWARD Fellowship. At a one-day event which was held in Nairobi at the Trademark hotel, more than 300 participants including leading international actors in the field of agricultural research and development convened to discuss the gains made in advancing inclusivity and how to accelerate these. Participants were drawn from the universities, international research institutions, government bodies, donors and global non-governmental organizations. The Guest of Honor was Her Excellency, Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, a leading biodiversity scientist and the sixth President of Mauritius.
Her Excellency Ameenah Gurib-FakimSixth President of the Republic of Mauritius
Dr. Joyce B. M. Mutinda Chairperson, National Gender & Equality Commission, Kenya 
Ms. Wanjira MathaiBoard of Trustees, ICRAF
Dr. Judith LunguDeputy Vice Chancellor, Mulungushi University
Ms. Jennie van der MheenAccount Manager Africa, Wageningen University and Research 
Dr. Theopoline Omagano AmushendjeUniversity of Namibia
Dr. Kathryn ToureRegional Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, International Development Research Centre
Dr. Jacob MignounaDirector, Biosciences eastern and central Africa-ILRI Hub, NEPAD/AU
Prof. Nelson TortoExecutive Director, African Academy of Sciences
Ms. Pilirani KhozaAWARD Fellow Mentee, Malawi
Mr. Gideon KiruiStudent, University of Nairobi
Ms. Vicki WildeSenior Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Dr. Peter MatlonPast Managing Director, Africa Programs, Rockefeller Foundation 
Dr. Jemimah NjukiChairperson, AWARD Steering Committee
Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-RutenbergAWARD DirectorFounded in 2008, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) works towards inclusive, agriculture-driven prosperity for the African continent by strengthening the production and dissemination of more gender-responsive agricultural research and innovation. AWARD invests in African scientists, research institutions and agribusinesses so that they can deliver agricultural innovations that better respond to the needs and priorities of a diversity of women and men across Africa’s agricultural value chains.
On Thursday, November 29, 2018, AWARD staff and partners came together in Nairobi to celebrate the organization’s 10′” Anniversary. Themed, ‘A Decade of Advancing Inclusive Agricultural Research’, the event sought to provide a forum for reflection of the 10-year journey and lessons learned.
The event featured individuals who had engaged with AWARD in the past decade in various capacities including AWARD Fellows, mentors, fellows’ mentees, founding director and chair of its steering committee, and founding donors, among others. Two panel discussions, comprising researchers and research fund managers, were held. They discussed how to improve the numbers and experiences of women in research. The concluding session featured the unveiling of a special 10-year report containing results and impact of AWARD’s interventions.
This document is a summary of key ideas presented at the event on advancing inclusive agricultural research.
