Observational studyPloS one2022
Barriers of West African women scientists in their research and academic careers: A qualitative research.
Observational study in PloS one, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Examining the Prevalence and Effects of Gender-based Violence in Academic Settings: A Systematic Review and Meta-analyses.Trauma, violence & abuse · 2025Pooled it
- Gender gaps in research: a systematic review.F1000Research · 2023Pooled it
- Locally-affiliated authorship in global eye health research conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa between 2003 and 2022.Eye (London, England) · 2026Article
- Changing the narrative: Resilience of women in STEM in sub-Saharan Africa and institutional innovations to advance equity.PloS one · 2026Article
- Exploring gender factors affecting women's involvement in public health capacity development programmes in Nigeria.BMC public health · 2025Article
- Gender equality among medical and dental academic researchers in West Africa: a theoretical analysis of a compendium of research.Frontiers in oral health · 2025Article
- The gap that Matilda will bridge: a look at the Colombian case.F1000Research · 2024Article
- Escaping the midway trap: A mixed method study highlighting roadblocks and coping mechanisms of female researchers in Cameroon.PLOS global public health · 2024Article
- A gender perspective on the global migration of scholars.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2023Article
- A qualitative insight into researchers' perceptions of gender inequality in medical and dental research institutions in Nigeria.PloS one · 2023Article
- Factors that affect scientific publication in Africa-A gender perspective.Frontiers in research metrics and analytics · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveThis study aims to identify barriers to the professional advancement of women researchers in West Africa.
methodsThis was a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional qualitative study conducted between June and September 2020 in five West African countries (Ghana, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali). Interviews were conducted with 21 female and 9 male health researchers by video call. After transcription, the data was thematically analysed using an inductive process.
resultsFour themes associated with barriers to women's careers development were identified. First. was family- and environmental-related barriers. Gender norms that assign domestic tasks and responsibilities to women reduced the time they were able to dedicate to research. Second was gender insensitive organisational culture and institutional policies that deepened gender disparities and made it more difficult for women to attain leadership positions. Third was the need for women in research to undergo emancipation programs to strengthen their resilience and ability to make critical decisions as strategic approaches to address the challenges faced by women in the academia were a lot more focused on addressing their relationship with their spouse. Forth, was the individual intermediate perception of professional and personal success which for many women, they perceive themselves as competent as their male counterparts and should not be subject to the gender discrimination they experience.
conclusionThe web created between work-life and home-life for West African women researchers mainly as a result of the gender inequalities in the social structure will require more medium- and long-term strategic planning by institutional authorities to reduce gender disparities in research and academia. This work has highlighted the influence of family and social life on the professional lives of West African women researchers. The study could help contribute to the development of gender equality interventions for the career development of women researchers in West Africa.
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