Carleton University QES Project Empowers W’Africa Women Scholars

Wale Igbintade

Carleton University has empowered West African women scholars under its Carleton QES West Africa Scholarship Programme.

 The scholarship programme is made available to West African women in the final stage of their PhD programme, postdoctoral researchers, and early career academics affiliated to institutions.

 The programme provides the expertise, research materials and sundry support as well as the enabling environment for emergent scholars and early career female professionals from West Africa to learn.

 Carleton University is a partner in the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship (QES) programme, which aims to develop the next generation of global leaders and community builders. This initiative cuts across the West African region  including countries like Cameroon, Nigeria, Togo, Benin Republic, Togo. The QES scholars affirmed that the programme afforded them the required and much-needed intellectual and logistic
support. 

It was also the general opinion of the speakers at the event that the scholars would benefit more for themselves and the larger society with the benefit of more grant opportunities.

During the recent University of Carleton QES West Africa Conference 2024, which took place in Lagos, Prof. Nduka Otiono, in his role as the Principal Investigator of the  programme, spoke at length about the challenges women face in trying to juggle their studies and role as mothers, particularly their stoic determination to make a mark in the society.

“Those of us who have daughters , wives and female friends have also come to understand the power of women and women have more mental resilience than men and that when it matters most , even if we are men, we are men because we have had mothers, wives and friends. Without them, we won’t be who we are. And so I want to celebrate you again and just to hear your voices,” he said.

A lawyer and academic at Caleb University, Imota, Ogun State, Prof. Foluke Dada-Lawanson,  used her personal experience and life story to vividly paint the apt example of how the scholars can rise confidently through their challenges and become forces to reckon with in a male-dominated society.

She stressed the need for mental resilience as well as the ability to maintain a work-life balance.

Cameroonian Beatrice Eyong, the UN Women’s Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, with over 35 years professional experience in promoting gender equality believes that female representation in political leadership and other spheres is abysmally low.

Dr. Sophia Abiri-Franklin said the experience provided her with invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth.

“I gained exposure to diverse perspectives, expanded my global network, and collaborated with scholars and academics from West Africa, Canada, and Europe. The connection I forged with my placement partner, Ms. Brenda Williams, continues to be a valuable asset. Through this program, I have established a global platform that will undoubtedly benefit my future career endeavors,” she said.

One of Claude Winnie Pefolé’s research interests is assessing how gender-specific issues, particularly those concerning women, are considered in Cameroonian legislation.

 Her stint under the programme  enabled her to gain insights from an environment known for promoting women’s rights and equality, paving the way for her to learn best practices to propose solutions tailored to her local context.

“My expectations as a QES Scholar was the ability to access comprehensive documentation  and this opportunity has enhanced my personal and professional growth , both as a researcher and as a woman,” she said.

Her take-away from the programme  has undoubtedly enabled her to develop “forward-looking perspectives and proposing ways to enhance the inclusion of women in legislative instruments.”