The African Network for Women in Astronomy (AfNWA) is an initiative that aims to connect women working in astronomy and related fields in Africa. It was established in September 2020 as one of the committees under AfAS. With AfNWA we would like to guarantee future participation of girls and women at all levels in astronomy and science developments in Africa. Our main objectives are improving the status of women in science in Africa, and using astronomy to inspire more girls to do STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

Latest News

  • Postdoctoral Fellowships
    ​ The Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) project will fund up to 12 post-doctoral Fellowship positions in universities and institutions located in the African SKA Partner Countries (APCs). The APCs are Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Madagascar, Mozambique and Mauritius. Research programmes in astrophysics relevant to radio astronomy will be prioritized, but complementary multi-wavelength …

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  • AfNWA-ISP 2023 awards recognise outstanding early career and senior women in astronomy in Africa
    12 April 2024 The African Network for Women in Astronomy (AfNWA) is delighted to announce Dr Brenda Namumba as the winner of the “Prof. Carolina Ödman-Govender Early Career Award” and Prof. Hasnaa Chennaoui Aoudjehane as the winner of the “Senior Award” for Women in Astronomy in Africa. The nomination acknowledges Dr Namumba’s and Prof. Chennaoui …

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  • AfNWA Women in Astronomy in Africa Book
    In preparation for the International Astronomical Union (IAU) General Assembly (GA) 2024, the first GA to be held in Africa (6-15 August 2024, Cape Town, South Africa), the African Network of Women in Astronomy (AfNWA) is planning to design an attractive storytelling book on professional female astronomers in Africa. The aim of this book is, …

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  • AfNWA Call for Board Members
    The African Network of Women in Astronomy (AfNWA) aims to improve the status of women in science in Africa and to use astronomy to inspire more girls to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). With AfNWA we want to ensure the future participation of girls and women at all levels in the advancement of …

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  • AfNWA call for seed grants in support of projects focusing on empowering girls from disadvantaged communities
    The African Network of Women in Astronomy (AfNWA), a sub-committee of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS), in collaboration with the AfAS Education and Outreach Committee is opening a call for seed funding to support outreach activities carried out in Africa focused on the use of astronomy and STEM to empower girls living in disadvantaged communities …

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  • 2023 WOMEN IN ASTRONOMY AWARDS
    The African Network for Women in Astronomy (AfNWA), a sub-committee of the African Astronomical Society (AfAS), in collaboration with the International Science Programme (ISP), Uppsala University, Sweden is delighted to invite nominations for the 2023 Women in Astronomy in Africa awards. The aim of the awards is to recognise and support the scientific achievements and …

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  • AfNWA Board: Terms of Reference
    The Terms of Reference between the African Astronomical Society (AfAS) and the African Network for Women in Astronomy (AfNWA) are now available here. It has been approved by the AfNWA Board and AfAS Executive Committee members on October 19, 2023. For your convenience, the Terms of Reference are now available here, and you can download …

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  • Launching of AfNWA outreach videos
    AfNWA is launching its first outreach videos to inspire girls to do STEM and for empowering girls through science. We are grateful to all AfNWA members who shared their stories and vision in the videos and who made them possible. We hope you will find them a useful resource for your outreach and education initiatives …

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  • Award recognises top female early career astronomer in Africa
    Cape Town – 13 February 2023 The African Network for Women in Astronomy (AfNWA) is delighted to announce Dr Al-Shaimaa Hassanin as winner of the newly named “Prof. Carolina Ödman Early Career Award” for Women in Astronomy in Africa. The nomination acknowledges Dr Hassanin’s excellent contribution in science, efforts to advance women’s representation in science at different …

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