The refreshed strategy outlines AWARD’s continued commitment to advancing inclusive agricultural research and development on the continent
Wednesday, October 27, 2021 —African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) is moving into an exciting phase, guided by its refreshed strategy. The refreshed strategy reflects lessons learned from the first half of the AWARD strategy 2017-2022 and is premised on evidence that has validated the need to scale up our initiatives.
The refreshed AWARD strategy 2017-2022 is a robust response to our monitoring, evaluation, and learning coupled with our initiatives’ demand.
Our vision remains a robust, resilient gender-responsive agricultural innovation system working toward agriculture-driven prosperity for Africa. We will continue investing in African scientists and institutions to deliver and influence innovative, sustainable, gender-responsive agricultural research and innovation.
Our learnings have demonstrated that Africa’s agricultural research workforce and decision-makers have a tremendous appetite for enhanced leadership, mentoring, research, and technical gender skills. Strengthened institutions are fundamental because failure to tackle institutional deficiencies and promote accountable and robust leadership exacerbate the gender gaps recorded across Africa. Additionally, the persisting gender gap in agricultural research and development is critical. Mentoring is a proven and powerful driver for career development and for retaining women and other emerging researchers.
The refreshed AWARD Strategy 2017-2022 prioritizes four focus areas to bolster AWARD’s efforts in the face of megatrends, including COVID-19 and climate change, that significantly impact agricultural research and development and our food systems.
- Our Fellowships accelerate the careers of Africa’s researchers and agricultural policymakers and their capabilities to lead and influence the agricultural research and development agenda in Africa.
- Our Institutional Engagement work supports African agricultural research and development institutions to prioritize and embrace gender responsiveness in policy and practice.
- Our Thought Leadership is fostering and influencing global conversations that shape the narrative around gender-responsive agricultural research and development while amplifying the voices of the African experts.
- AWARD Training is designing and delivering unique learning experiences, developing the talent of African scientists, and empowering the leadership of scientific institutions across the continent.
Download the refreshed AWARD Strategy 2017-2022
