Africa Science Focus

Episode 20 

This week, Africa Science Focus is shining a light on disability in Sub-Saharan Africa. We look at how assistive technology can improve the lives of people living with disability and highlight the science and innovation underway in Africa’s disability support sector.    

Want to know more about what’s happening in science in Africa? Send us your questions and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message WhatsApp +254799042513.  

 Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi. 

Episode 19 

Preventable maternal and child deaths increased during recent Ebola outbreaks in Sub-Saharan Africa as women lost access to health services. This week, Africa Science Focus examines the effect COVID-19 is having on maternal health. 

“We used to have daily updates, they used to say that as a pregnant woman you are at risk of contracting coronavirus. When it came to attending antenatal I was very scared,” Juliet Banda tells Africa Science Focus. 

Want to know more about what’s happening in science in Africa? Send us your questions and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message WhatsApp +254799042513.  

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi. 

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Episode 18 

Ever wondered if your urine could help with food security in Africa? We go to Malawi this week to hear how a ‘magic liquid’ is helping farmers cope with the high cost of synthetic fertilisers, while keeping the marketplaces cleaner and smelling fresher. 

And, we hear from science research gurus Fredros Okumu and Alice Matimba about Your Digital Mentor Podcast, which explores mentoring, research, and career development. 

Want to know more about what’s happening in science in Africa? Send us your questions and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message WhatsApp +254799042513.  

 Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi. 

Episode 17 

Is labia stretching — also called labia minora elongation — a violation of girls’ and women’s rights, or a harmless cultural practice? To some, it’s a form of female genital mutilation. To others, labia pulling is just part of having a sex life. 

This week, Africa Science Focus goes to Zambia to seek answers from women and health experts. 

Want to know more about what’s happening in science in Africa? Send us your questions and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message WhatsApp +254799042513.  

 Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi. 

Episode 16 

This week, Africa Science Focus is in The Gambia, talking to women about how gender inequality is affecting their health. 

Across much of Sub-Saharan Africa, there are at least five times more male doctors than female doctors, while women are often financially dependent on men.

“The access to precious health services depends on men’s decisions,” says Samiratou Ouédraogo, an epidemiology and public health specialist. 

Want to know more about what’s happening in science in Africa? Send us your questions and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message WhatsApp +254799042513. 

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi. 

Episode 15 

This week on Africa Science Focus, two women narrate their painful experience with obstetric fistula, a devastating birth injury that can be treated with a simple surgery that too many women cannot access. 

In Uganda, the Ministry of Health estimates between 140,000 and 200,000 women are living with fistula. The condition impacts the health and wellbeing of both girls and women worldwide.

Want to know more about what’s happening in science in Africa? Send us your questions and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message WhatsApp +254799042513.  

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi.

Episode 14 

Africa Science Focus takes time this week to reflect on how life issues like divorce take a toll on the mental health of the individual and the need for Africa to create a robust mental health policy.

Want to know more about what’s happening in science in Africa? Send us your questions and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message WhatsApp +254799042513.  

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi. 

Episode 13 

Did you listen to our previous episode on how women in Sub-Saharan Africa access abortions? On Africa Science Focus this week, we explore apps young people in Sub-Saharan Africa can access to get information on sexual reproductive health in a bid to reduce unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection, including HIV-AIDS. 

Want to know more about what’s happening in science in Africa? Send us your questions and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message WhatsApp +254799042513.  

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi. 

Episode 12 

Following our popular episode, ‘Where are Africa’s women in STEM?’, Africa Science Focus this week hears from female scientists who are launching their careers. 

From Janelisa Musaya in Malawi, to Violet Kayamba in Zambia and Martha Zewdie Gebeyehu in Ethiopia, some of the most important research on the continent is being led by women. 

Want to know more about what’s happening in science in Africa? Send us your questions and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message WhatsApp +254799042513.  

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi. 

Episode 11 

Africa has the youngest population in the world, and the billion-dollar market for digital learning and education technologies is on the rise. 

Locally developed e-learning solutions will be the future of education in Africa, says Given Edward, the head of edtech venture Mtabe, as this year’s lockdowns have shown that learning happens beyond the classroom. 

“It’s not a matter of if, it’s just a matter of when. That’s where the world is heading, and that’s where we are heading,” Edward tells the programme. 

This week on Africa Science Focus, we discover how students in Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia have been accessing classes while studying from home. 

Want to know more about what’s happening in science in Africa? Send us your questions and we’ll find an expert to answer them — text or voice message WhatsApp +254799042513.  
 

Africa Science Focus, with Selly Amutabi.