Despite a growing momentum on the need to pay attention to the gross underrepresentation of women in science and its leadership, gender disparities remain stubborn. Higher science education remains gender-segregated globally, with women underrepresented in agricultural sciences and other fields. Women face considerable constraints due to entrenched gender stereotypes and other barriers that result in higher dropout rates and underrepresentation in agricultural academia and leadership roles. In contrast, the transformation of women students into leaders who contribute actively to agricultural development remains relatively unexamined.

Evidence has shown that women’s participation in leadership and improved agricultural productivity are inextricably linked, and that improving women’s leadership and decision making at all levels in agrifood systems can result in improved livelihoods, household nutrition and resilient outcomes.

Against this milieu, it is critical that we intensify efforts toward broadening the pipeline of women in science leadership and explore options that promise to sustain this trend. This webinar will discuss trends, strategies and opportunities for plugging the gender gaps. Discussions will be anchored on initiatives such as the AWARD Leadership Program for Emerging African Women in Agricultural Science recent evidence on the Status of African Women in Research.