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
- 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 … - Tribute to Carolina ÖdMAN
It’s with heavy hearts that we learnt of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Carolina Odman, on 15 November 2022. Carolina was a founding member of the African Network for Women in Astronomy (AfNWA) and a serving member of the AfNWA board. She has been a powerful force in our community, advocating for … - 2022 Women in astronomy Awards
The African Network of 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 2022 Women in Astronomy in Africa awards. The aim of the award is to recognise and support the scientific achievements, and contributions … - The Cosmic Savannah Podcast features AfNWA
We are delighted to have been asked to contribute to the Cosmic Savannah Podcast, the only podcast dedicated to African astronomy. The episode is number 54 of their series and is available here: https://thecosmicsavannah.com/episode-54-the-african-network-of-women-in-astronomy/ Of course, don’t miss any of their other episodes by subscribing to the podcast on your favourite platform. Thank you to … - Special AfNWA session at the AfAS conference
AfNWA organised a special session on 17 of March during the AfAS annual meeting titled ‘Current status of AfNWA after one year since its official launching‘. This session briefly summarised the work done in the last year, including AfNWA awards, and what are the plans for 2022. The second part of the session was an … - New board member: Ms. Salma Sylla Mbaye
We are thrilled to welcome a new member to our board, who will strengthen the presence of West Africa in AfAS – AfNWA. With a background in atomic and nuclear physics, Ms. Salma Sylla Mbaye is currently doing her PhD in astrophysics, making her the first astrophysicist in her home country, Senegal. She used her … - FIRST EVER AFRICAN WOMEN IN ASTRONOMY AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Cape Town – 2 March 2022 Two exceptional women in science are being recognised by the inaugural awards of the African Network of Women in Astronomy. The early career award goes to Dr. Marie Korsaga, Burkina Faso’s first woman astronomer and the senior award goes to Prof. Renée Kraan-Korteweg from South Africa. The awards, worth … - Celebrating World Space Week Oct 04 – 10 2021
To get a glimpse of African women working in Astronomy and Space, we invite you to browse through the presentation below. AfNWA World Space Week 4 10 oct. 2021 from Carolina Ödman-Govender - Growing a network of skilled professionals in Astronomy – the story of the SKA South Africa
Special talk on Tuesday October 12 at 14:00 SAST The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), formerly known as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) South Africa project, established a human capacity development programme in 2015 to grow the science and engineering skills base on the African continent for the construction and hosting of the SKA …