Women and Geosciences for the benefit of the society
African Association of Women in Geosciences “AAWG”

It is noted that during geological meetings, the participation of women geoscientists is typically very limited. In order to help to rectify this discrepancy, a decision was taken to form an association in order to encourage women geoscientists to participate in Earth Sciences related conferences and to inform about or become involved in gender issues related to the Earth Sciences. In 1995, the African Association of Women Geoscientists “AAWG” was created in Nairobi, Kenya.

The objectives and purposes for which the Association is constituted are to : Promote the advancement of scientific and technological knowledge in the field of geosciences ; Disseminate information on scientific and technical research and discoveries and promote public understanding of the role of geosciences in Africa’s development ; Establish and maintain relations between African scientists and the international scientific community ; Provide a forum for discussion and cooperation in geosciences and other related professions in Africa ; Assist African governments in the quest for capacity building in geosciences and its applications ; Cooperate with relevant African governments in the formulation of policies and program designed to encourage the development and application of geosciences for Africa’s development ; Publish and distribute a bulletin and/or other publications in the field of geosciences development in Africa ; Organize conferences, seminars, symposia, training courses and workshops in various areas of geosciences ; Highlight and seek solutions to problems faced specifically by women and grassroots communities in Africa in the area of geosciences ; Encourage and mobilize support for education, training and research in order to assist African women in their acquisition of specialized skills for leadership in geosciences ; Identify, promote, identify and advise on the importance and preservation of geological sites in Africa in collaboration with other stakeholders ; Undertake all such other activities as may be consistent with the objective of the Association.

Building on this, the AAWG decided to hold its first workshop “Gender and environmental concerns among female geoscientists in Africa” in 2000 in Dar Essalam in Tanzania for the purpose of exchanging ideas, discussing results and encouraging women to present their work at scientific conferences. Consequently, the Colloquium of the African Association of Women Geoscientists “CAAWG” was born. Since then, the association is at its fifth biannual conference.