Zhou Danai T, Matyanga Celia M J, Madhombiro Munyaradzi, Kouamou Vinie, Hove Precious K, Muyambo Sarudzai, Gori Elizabeth, Farirai Fortunate, Mukuwapasi Betty, Mudhluli Taona E, Gwenzi Getrude D, Bobo Enetia D, Chigerwe Jenipher, Chirima Justin, Chirimo Ratidzo, Tauro Tonny P, Sagandira Mellisa B, Mozirandi Winnie Y, Chiwaye Natsayi, Rambwawasvika Hardlife, Dudu Violet P, Chipato Winnet E, Nyararai Yvonne O, Kadzviti Faith W, Ndlovu Nomagugu, Mupfiga Upenyu N, Muhoyi Hardlife, Mano Runyararo
Department of Laboratory Diagnostic and Investigative Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
J Public Health Afr. 2025 May 12;16(1):868. doi: 10.4102/jphia.v16i1.868. eCollection 2025.
Women continue to be underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM), globally including in Africa and, indeed in Zimbabwe. The gender gap, absence of formal research mentorship and the male-dominated academic culture common among low- and middle-income countries makes scientific growth dire for Africa- and Zimbabwe-based female science researchers.
To address some of these challenges, a group of researchers (90% female) created the African Excellence in Research Initiative (AFRIESEARCHI) Zimbabwe Gender in STEMM Mentorship Programme.
Public universities and research institutions in Zimbabwe.
The team crafted a research mentorship curriculum, informed by stakeholder engagement and needs assessment, and piloted it from October 2021 to December 2022.
The inaugural 12-month programme capacitated 30 members (80% female) with skills for research. The participants' mean age was 42.5 (6.9) years, with minimum qualifications of Master's degrees. Specifically, 5 (17%) members either registered for or graduated with doctoral degrees, 14 (50%) members completed visiting fellowships. Five individual projects were awarded grants all totalling over $300 000.00, while this mentorship project was shortlisted for the Free STEM Fund award (€50 000.00) for the 2022-2023 cycle. Half of shortlisted team members were selected for the competitive Zimbabwean Emerging Faculty Development Program. Almost 90% of participants were satisfied with their mentorship experience, although resources and time were needed.
Despite challenges, the team resolved the need to prioritise formalised research mentorship, within the Zimbabwe setting.
Such efforts will enhance scientific growth for women (and indeed all academic researchers) in the sciences.
在全球范围内，包括在非洲以及津巴布韦，女性在科学、技术、工程、数学和医学（STEMM）领域的代表性仍然不足。性别差距、缺乏正式的研究指导以及中低收入国家普遍存在的男性主导的学术文化，使得非洲和津巴布韦的女性科研人员的科学发展面临严峻挑战。
为应对其中一些挑战，一群研究人员（90%为女性）创建了津巴布韦STEMM领域性别研究指导计划——非洲卓越研究倡议（AFRIESEARCHI）。
津巴布韦的公立大学和研究机构。
该团队根据利益相关者的参与和需求评估精心制定了一项研究指导课程，并于2021年10月至2022年12月进行了试点。
首个为期12个月的项目使30名成员（80%为女性）具备了研究技能。参与者的平均年龄为42.5（6.9）岁，最低学历为硕士学位。具体而言，5名（17%）成员注册攻读博士学位或获得博士学位，14名（50%）成员完成了访问学者奖学金。五个个人项目获得了总计超过30万美元的资助，而这个指导项目在2022 - 2023周期入围了自由STEM基金奖（5万欧元）。入围团队成员中有一半被选入竞争激烈的津巴布韦新兴教师发展计划。尽管需要资源和时间，但近90%的参与者对他们的指导经历感到满意。
尽管存在挑战，但该团队在津巴布韦的背景下解决了优先开展正式研究指导的必要性。
此类努力将促进科学界女性（以及所有学术研究人员）的科学发展。
