College of Education

Harnessing the Leadership and Agency of Women in the Field of Mathematical Sciences

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Prof Jojo Zingiswa

The South African Women in Mathematical Sciences Association (SAWMSA), in collaboration with the University of South Africa (UNISA)- College of Education (CEDU) : Department of Mathematics Education (DME) and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)-South Africa  conduced  a free two-day workshop pertaining to “ Harnessing the Leadership and Agency of Women in the Field for the Transformation Agenda”.

Prof Jojo Zingiswa was nominated Mathematics Union for the period 2017 till 2021. Faced with the challenge to create an association for Mathematics. She quickly identified the non-existence of a South African women’s forum in the area of Mathematics. “We are making sure that it is never a lonely journey for the next generation of women in the field” says Prof Zingiswa, Associate Professor at the CEDU: DME.

The workshop was held on 6-7 June 2019 at UNISA Sunnyside Campus in Pretoria. The aims was to bring together at over 60 female postgraduate students , researchers and academics in mathematics and mathematics education from higher education institutions in South Africa, to discuss their research and career development in a supportive environment.

Partially supported by a grant from the International Mathematical Union Commission for Developing Countries (IMU-CDC) and the National Research Foundation(NRF) of South Africa, the workshop featured presentations by dynamic African women STEM leaders, researchers and academic together with reflective, insightful and engaging interactive various activities and sessions that will stimulate dialogue and encourage collaboration, peer-peer learning, sharing and relationship building amongst the participants.

WORKSHOP-SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

  • The launch of SAWMSA.
  • Creating a platform for women in mathematics to share their research and career journeys to inspire young women to become the next generation of mathematicians.
  • Matching female postgraduate students with suitable mentors (established women researchers in mathematics) in their area of specialization.
  • Updating the database of women in mathematical sciences in South Africa. 
  • Building a network of South African women in mathematics.

“The launch of SAMWSA can mitigate many of the challenges associated with the with silent voices in Mathematical Sciences while offering an additional platform to celebrate excellence” says Prof Eunice Mureithi, Associate Professor and head of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Dar es Salaam.

Prof Jojo Zingiswa , the 2018 Unisa Research and Innovation awardee also added that the launch was used to identify members of the Executive committee.

About SAWMSA

Women have been historically underrepresented in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professions worldwide; however, the situation is unpleasant in Africa.

According to estimates by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, women represent less than 30% of the research workforce worldwide. The underrepresentation of women in STEM translates into a loss of a critical mass of talent, thoughts and ideas, which hinders countries from reaching their maximum development potential.

Socio-economic factors, the masculine image of science, lack of mentoring, role models and confidence in mathematics are some of the factors contributing to the underrepresentation of women in STEM. 

 Despite improvements over the past decades, South African women continue to be underrepresented in tertiary studies and professional careers in the field of mathematical sciences.

SAWMSA was established in 2017 to address this deficit, provide support to women in mathematics and promote mathematics among young girls and women in South Africa while stimulating interest among young girls to pursue careers in mathematical sciences.

For more information visit www.sawmsa.co.za  (website under construction).

From left to right, speakers and fscilitators : Prof K Jordan, Prof Jill Alder, Prof Eunice Mureithi, Prof Jojo Zingiswa, Dr Elizabeth Rasekola, Prof Loyiso Nongxa, Ms Mmabatho Mokiti and Dr Rejoice Gavhi-Molefe

*By Dineo Horner , Acting Marketing and Communications Specialist, CEDU

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Publish date: 2020/03/09

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