ALLEN MUYAAMA MUKHWANA, Research Systems Manager , African Academy of Sciences JUDY OMUMBO, Senior Programme Manager, Postdoctoral Programmes, African Academy of Sciences WOMEN are 49.6% of the world’s population. An estimated 70% of the health and social care workforce are women; they deliver care to around 5 billion people. Women are also at the front-line of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic – as health caregivers, researchers, scientists and policymakers. There is a well recognised gender disparity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This prompted the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa) to conduct a study on factors…