Academic publications are essential distribution channels through which research findings are introduced to scientists around the world. Moreover, scientific research forms a fundamental part of the contemporary knowledge economy and societal development.
In terms of published scientific research, however, Africa lags behind other world countries. The lack of women’s participation in science and technology exacerbates this issue. ‘Factors that affect scientific publication in Africa—A gender perspective’ examines these factors and is focused on gender in the Africa context.
An online survey used in the research was pretested in global surveys conducted in 2013 and 2015 and used to gather data.
Authors who co-authored at least one scholarly paper in a publication indexed by the Clarivate Web of Science ™ from 2005 to 2015 received surveys in 2016. A total of 7 515 people responded. The final sample that was examined for the paper included 4 676 respondents after the data had been cleaned.
The study showed that female scientists in Africa publish significantly less than their male counterparts, which is consistent with other studies on the topic. In contrast to men, who published an average of 2.6 articles per year, women published an average of 1.8 articles. Regardless of the income level of the country in question, this gender disparity was observed across all academic fields and institutional types.
Underlying causes
This gender disparity in scientific publication is the result of several variables. Women are more likely than men to fulfil family and caring duties, such as child and elderly care, which limit their time and energy for study activities.
Despite advancements made in recent years, women still do not have equal access to schooling and training. Women receive fewer opportunities for advancement, such as mobility for work and study.
Despite spending more time on fundraising than men, women have less access to research resources and chances for collaboration, including funds and equipment.
In addition, women encounter institutional obstacles such as gender biases and stereotypes that limit their participation in study activities. Instead of women participating fully in such activities, they are frequently reduced to supporting roles.
These issues hamper women’s career advancement and may compromise the calibre and significance of study findings.
The findings about the lack of publications by women researchers should be highlighted against the backdrop of critical issues such as poverty, debilitating diseases, and inadequate infrastructure on the African continent. Subsequently, it is crucial to emphasise these findings on International Women’s Day, on 8 March.
Because women are underrepresented in scientific publications, their views, skills, and contributions are often ignored. Women’s chances for career advancement and professional development are also constrained by this gender gap, which also perpetuates workplace inequalities.
For all researchers, regardless of gender, to have equal opportunities to engage in scientific research and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge, it is essential to address the gender-based challenges that women researchers in Africa face.
Gender equality in science and technology can lead to more inclusive and inventive scientific study, as well as greater economic and social advancement.
What can be done?
Several steps can be taken to address and move forward the issue of gender disparities in scientific publishing in Africa. Institutions of higher learning and governments can put policies and programme in place, for instance parental leave and flexible work schedules that support women’s job advancement and work-life balance.
Additionally, programmes for diversity and inclusion as well as instruction on unconscious bias can be used to reduce prejudice and discrimination in the workplace.
Institutions of higher learning should give male and female researchers equal access to resources such as funding and study infrastructure.
Finally, it is important to question and transform social and cultural norms and stereotypes that deter women from pursuing careers in science.
Dr Corlia Meyer is a postdoctoral research fellow at Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST), in South Africa.
Professor Catherine Beaudry holds the research chair in Management and Economics of Innovation at Polytechnique Montréal, in Canada.
Professor Heidi Prozesky, associate professor at CREST and member of the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Scientometrics and Science, Technology, and Innovation (SciSTIP) Policy, received a portion of the research funding.
Proffs Beaudry and Prozesky co-authored ‘Factors that affect scientific publication in Africa—A gender perspective’ with Carl St-Pierre (Polytechnique Montréal) and Seyed Reza Mirnezami (Polytechnique Montréal and Sharif University of Technology, Iran).
