Second conference
The second coneference of the AAWG entitled « Enhancement of Geosciences for environmental Awareness, Poverty Alleviation and sustainable development » was held in Kampala (Uganda) from 25 to 27 October 2004.
ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN WOMEN GEOSCIENTISTS
2nd Biennial Conference Held in Kampala, Uganda, 25-27th October 2004,
A Brief Report
By
Monica A. Omulo, Department of Environmental Studies, Maseno University, Private Bag, Maseno. Email: Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.
Theme: Enhancement of Geosciences for environmental Awareness, Poverty Alleviation and sustainable development,
Convener: Association of African Women Geoscientists (AAWG)
Sponsors: UNESCO, DAAD Department of Geology- Makerere University, Geological Survey and Mines Department, Entebbe, Geological Society of Africa, Carl Bro International among others.
Conference Highlights
The three-day international conference focusing on the enhancement of Geosciences for environmental Awareness, Poverty Alleviation and sustainable development, and drew participants from the following African countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Ethiopia and Morocco.
It was acknowledged that women and men geoscientists carry different roles and status depending on many factors such as self perception, institutional set up, different capability needs and self aspiration. However, it was also noted that professional women Geoscientists face many challenges at work, home, filed etc.
The theme of the conference (poverty alleviation and sustainable development), it was noted, brought women into focus. The following quotation was used by the out-going President to illustrate how women are viewed in developmental issues:
“While some argue that viewing development constraints through a “gender” lens is an unnecessary distraction, others argue that until gender inequality is tackled, development cannot move forward. Indeed by the end of the 20th century it was increasingly acknowledged by development agencies that gender mattered to the development process. Improvements in the knowledge and understanding of the impact of gender on development in different arenas (governance, agriculture, housing, etc.) have been made, but much still needs to be done” .. (E. Bennett, IDDRA UK Ltd and K. Olomu, Communication Assistant, SFLP)
Within the context of the geosciences in Africa, much needs to be done to enhance effective women involvement in sustainable development. For instance, in the small-scale mining sector, much of the work performed by women and the social space they occupy has remained invisible because it is not directly and obviously connected to marketing and sales sector. The lack of documentation on women’s role in the small-scale mining sector can be explained by a number of factors. Firstly, production and marketing goals (male dominated) dominate over processing sector (female dominated). Secondly, research is often gender-blind and fails to see the bigger livelihoods picture where women are more visible. Often women are excluded from the decision taking process for cultural reasons.
It was noted that women geoscientists working and residing within communities should be instrumental in poverty alleviation. The conference was a stepping-stone for strengthening women role in the poverty alleviation and sustainable process.
AAWG hopes to pursue activities whose objectives will be the involvement of women in poverty alleviation and sustainable related activities in Africa. That sustainable mankind development would not take place without the active participation of women in all areas including science and technology.
The technical sessions of the conference covered the areas of of mining and environment, hydrogeology, EIA, Climate Change, energy, seismology, geochemistry etc. A half-day excursion was made on the last day of the conference to the mouth of the Nile River and the Bujagali .
The session on geo-sites presented by Prof. Schueter brought out the urgent need for speeding up geo-park and geo-conservation initiatives in Africa. Africa contains some of the most wonderful and disproportionately large percentage of big geological sites, which are of interest to specialists and lay people alike. On the environment side, emphasis was made on the need for conservation of the African natural resources and biodiversity. It was noted that people tend to destroy what they do not understand, whether accidentally or willfully, thus awareness creation was paramount.
Next Meeting
It was agreed that the third Biennial conference would be held in Morocco in May 2006. This will be organized by Dr. Ezzoura Errami, University of Chouai’b Doukkali, El Jadida.
Publication of Proceedings
UNESCO pledged to provide support for the conference with US$3000 – 5000 for the sub Saharan Africa. He informed members that more support could be obtained from the Middle East office. DAAD also pledged support to Alumni participants.
Dr. Schlüter advised that publication of the proceedings of conference would enhance the visibility of AAWG, and that UNESCO could avail US$2000 for that purpose. Other publication that could be used to put AAWG activities in the limelight included placing report for Journal Episodes and also the Journal of Africa Earth Sciences.
The incoming Governing Council:
President: Dr. Meseret Teklemariam, Ethiopia,Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.
Vice President: Monica Omulo, Kenya, Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.
Secretary General: Dr. Joy Obando, Kenya, Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.
Assistant Secretary General: Dr. Ezzoura Errami, Morocco, Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.,Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.
Treasurer: Rebecca Kunya, Uganda,Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.
Editor: Ansa Faull, South Africa, Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.
Regional Representatives
Eastern Africa Prof. Evelyn Mbende, Tanzania,Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.
South Africa Andiswa Mlisa, Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.
West Africa to be nominated
North Africa to be nominated
Central Africa to be nominated