REPORT of AMUCWMA activities 2009-2017

Executive Summary

The African Mathematical Union Commission on Women in Mathematics in Africa (AMUCWMA), established in 1986, works to promote women’s participation in mathematical sciences across Africa. Its objectives include encouraging girls to study mathematics, supporting women’s careers, and creating resources for African women mathematicians.

Between 2009 and 2017, AMUCWMA organized regional workshops and networking initiatives to address the severe underrepresentation of women in mathematics. These workshops revealed persistent challenges such as socio-cultural barriers, lack of role models, and limited institutional support. A major outcome of these discussions was the recognition that a formal, continent-wide organization was needed to unify efforts, provide visibility, and advocate for African women mathematicians. Also an autonomous association, governed by its own rules, can more readily seek funding and establish collaborations with similar organizations. In contrast, a commission operating under the umbrella of a larger body faces greater complexity, as it must adhere to the overarching regulations of that organization.

As a result, the African Women in Mathematics Association (AWMA) was created during the 2013 Cape Town workshop. AWMA was established to:

  • Coordinate activities promoting women in mathematics across Africa.
  • Serve as a platform for networking, mentorship, and collaboration.
  • Link African women mathematicians to global organizations such as IMU and EWM.
  • Advocate for gender equity and provide role models for young girls.

Since its creation, AWMA has launched national associations in several countries, developed a database of over 300 women mathematicians, and actively participated in international forums. It collaborates with organizations like IMU, CIMPA, UNESCO, and AIMS to organize workshops, outreach programs, and research initiatives.

Despite progress, challenges remain: financial constraints, cultural barriers, lack of institutional support, and gender discrimination. AWMA’s future plans include expanding its database, publishing role-model booklets, and organizing more scientific events to inspire and support women in mathematics.

The creation of AWMA marked a turning point in the movement to promote African women mathematicians, transforming isolated efforts into a structured, continent-wide network with global recognition.

 

For more information, see: https://africanwomeninmath.org/women-math/report/report-amucwma-activities-2009-2017

 

REPORT of AMUCWMA activities 2009-2017

The report

Executive Summary

The African Mathematical Union Commission on Women in Mathematics in Africa (AMUCWMA), established in 1986, works to promote women’s participation in mathematical sciences across Africa. Its objectives include encouraging girls to study mathematics, supporting women’s careers, and creating resources for African women mathematicians.

Between 2009 and 2017, AMUCWMA organized regional workshops and networking initiatives to address the severe underrepresentation of women in mathematics. These workshops revealed persistent challenges such as socio-cultural barriers, lack of role models, and limited institutional support. A major outcome of these discussions was the recognition that a formal, continent-wide organization was needed to unify efforts, provide visibility, and advocate for African women mathematicians. Also an autonomous association, governed by its own rules, can more readily seek funding and establish collaborations with similar organizations. In contrast, a commission operating under the umbrella of a larger body faces greater complexity, as it must adhere to the overarching regulations of that organization.

As a result, the African Women in Mathematics Association (AWMA) was created during the 2013 Cape Town workshop. AWMA was established to:

  • Coordinate activities promoting women in mathematics across Africa.

  • Serve as a platform for networking, mentorship, and collaboration.

  • Link African women mathematicians to global organizations such as IMU and EWM.

  • Advocate for gender equity and provide role models for young girls.

Since its creation, AWMA has launched national associations in several countries, developed a database of over 300 women mathematicians, and actively participated in international forums. It collaborates with organizations like IMU, CIMPA, UNESCO, and AIMS to organize workshops, outreach programs, and research initiatives.

Despite progress, challenges remain: financial constraints, cultural barriers, lack of institutional support, and gender discrimination. AWMA’s future plans include expanding its database, publishing role-model booklets, and organizing more scientific events to inspire and support women in mathematics.

The creation of AWMA marked a turning point in the movement to promote African women mathematicians, transforming isolated efforts into a structured, continent-wide network with global recognition.

AWMA Maths Hope Creators Competition

AWMA Maths Hope Creators Competition is organized by the African Women in Mathematics Association in celebration of the International Day of Mathematics 2026. The competition invites participants to submit creative projects interpreting the theme “Mathematics and Hope.” Submissions may include mathematical art and visualizations, innovative problem-solving addressing real-world African challenges, essays or stories incorporating mathematical ideas, and original puzzles or games. Entries are submitted online and evaluated based on creativity, mathematical accuracy, relevance to the theme and African context, and potential impact.

Here is the link for submission for the competition: https://forms.gle/MqhyqSNYUTegxv6V6

 

Installation of the New AWMA Executive Board (2025–2029 Term)

Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
Venue: Online session
Presiding Officer: Outgoing President, Prof. Marie Françoise Ouedraogo

 

1. A New Chapter for AWMA

On October 24, 2025, the African Women in Mathematics Association (AWMA) held the inaugural meeting of its new Executive Board for the 2025–2029 term.
Outgoing President Prof. Marie Françoise Ouedraogo welcomed participants and reviewed the AWMA statutes before introducing the incoming team.

She congratulated the new members and encouraged them to build on the achievements of the previous term while addressing key challenges facing the association.

 

2. Meet the New Executive Board

Position

Name

President Prof. Selma Negzaoui
Vice President (North Africa) Prof. Zeinab Mansour
Vice President (Southern Africa) Prof. Rejoyce Gavhi-Molefe
Vice President (West Africa) Prof. Deborah Olufunmilayo Makinde
Vice President (East Africa) Prof. Entisar Alrasheed
Vice President (Central Africa) Prof. Aminatou Pecha
Secretary General Prof. Faguèye Ndiaye
Vice Secretary Dr. Ini Adinya
Treasurer Prof. Sophie Dabo
Publicity & Information Officer Dr. Angela Tabiri

3. Key Issues Discussed

  • Membership Fees: Managing dues remains a challenge due to currency variations across African countries.

  • Constitutional Ownership: Members were urged to actively engage with and take ownership of the AWMA constitution.

  • Bank Account: The new board will explore opening an account in France to streamline financial operations and partnerships.

  • Communication: The AWMA mailing list will be handed over to Dr. Angela Tabiri to improve information sharing.

  • Webinars: The members proposed organizing one webinar every two to three months to allow for better preparation and stronger participation.

     

4. Words from the New Leadership

Incoming President Prof. Selma Negzaoui expressed gratitude to the outgoing team and outlined her priorities:

  • Strengthening AWMA’s online presence and website management

  • Reactivating webinars and ensuring broad member engagement

  • Improving transparency in communication and coordination across regions

She called on all members to contribute actively to the growth and visibility of AWMA.

 

5. A Spirit of Continuity and Collaboration

Both outgoing and incoming executives emphasized the need for teamwork, inclusivity, and sustained engagement.
Prof. Ouedraogo pledged her continued support to the new leadership, highlighting the importance of mentorship and collaboration among members.

 

6. Closing Remarks

The meeting ended at 3:49 p.m. in a collegial and positive atmosphere, with renewed commitment to AWMA’s mission of promoting women in mathematics across Africa.


 

Stay Connected:
🌐 https://africanwomeninmath.org/
📧 awma.communication@africanwomenmath.org

Workshop in Zimbabwe: Women Mathematician in an Advancing world. All you need to know

Title: Women Mathematician in an Advancing world. All you need to know

Location: National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Dates: 25-26 September 2025

Summery:  The event was a two day workshop co-organised by CWM Ambassador for Zimbabwe (Dr Chipo Zidana)
and women in Mathematics at the National university of Science and Technology (NUST). The workshop run under the theme ‘Women Mathematican in a Technologically Advancing World. All you need to know’. The workshop gave a chance to young women mathematicians to get an exposure to a mixture of events including networking, mentorship, and skill development from established mathematicians from
business, industry, government, and academia in Zimbabwe and Africa. It consisted of mentorship and motivation sessions from other women mathematicians from different African countries including Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Botswana and Eswatini among others. Secondly, the workshop also allowed estblished Mathematicians to give lectures on technology related mathematical topics including Functional Data Alaysis and its Application to different fields like Disease modelling and time series and The importance of mathematical foundation in Data Science and Machine/Deep Learning. There were also hands on session on how mathematicians can develop their skills in low resources economies using open source resources like R, Excel and Python on Google collabo. More importantly was the networking session
which saw participants asking questions and getting to know platforms and resourse they can use to develop themseleves to keep pace with the advancing skills in technology and mathematics.

Organisers: Chipo Zidana,  Martina Mthombeni and Precious Mdlongwa

Number of attendees: 40 (physical and online)

List of Countries (or States) represented: Zimbabwe (Bulawayo, Midlands, Masvingo, Harare, Chinhoyi, Manicaland, Lupane), Botswana, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, France, USA, Eswatini

The workshop also witnessed the launch of the Zimbabwe Women in Mathematics chapter through their current coordinators Mrs Martina Mthombeni, Chipo Mandave, Dr Chipo Zidana and Dr Precious Mdlomngwa. Mrs Mthombeni explained the vision and direction of Zimbabwe Women in Mathematics as a part of both AWMA and CWM.

AWMA Elections/Results

Dear Colleague, 


 

On September 29, 2025, you were invited to participate in voting for the approved candidates for members of the standing committee of the African Women in Mathematics Association (AWMA). 

All voting was done within the voting period. The AWMA election committee screened all votes. Only votes from AWMA members were validated. Hereby, we would like to announce the final results of the AWMA elections: 


 

  1. President: Prof. Selma Negzaoui

  2. Vice-President (Northern Africa): Prof Zeinab Mansour

  3. Vice-President (Southern Africa): Prof. Rejoyce Gavhi-Molefe 

  4. Vice-President(Western Africa):Prof. Deborah Olufunmilayo Makinde

  5. Vice-President (Eastern Africa): Prof. Entissar Elrashid 

  6. Vice-President (Central Africa): Prof. Aminatou Pecha

  7. General Secretary: Prof. Faguèye Ndiaye

  8. Vice Secretary: Dr. Ini Adinya

  9. Treasurer: Prof. Sophie Dabo

  10. Publicity and Information Officer: Dr. Angela Tabiri
     

Please join me congratulating the president elect and all new AWMA standing committee members. I wish to thank all members of the election committee for their diligence and dedication. 

 

More details about the results can be found in the attachment



 

Best regards, 

Prof. Aissa WADE

On behalf of the 

Election Committee


 


 

Chère collègue,


 

Le 29 septembre 2025, vous avez été invitée à voter pour les candidates approuvées au comité permanent de l'Association des femmes africaines en mathématiques (AWMA). Tous les votes ont eu lieu pendant la période de vote.

Le comité électoral de l'AWMA a examiné tous les votes. Seuls les votes des membres de l'AWMA ont été validés. Par la présente, nous avons le plaisir d'annoncer les résultats définitifs des élections de l'AWMA :


 

1. Présidente : Pr. Selma Negzaoui

2. Vice-présidente (Afrique du Nord) : Pr. Zeinab Mansour

3. Vice-présidente (Afrique australe) : Pr. Rejoyce Gavhi-Molefe

4. Vice-présidente (Afrique de l'Ouest: Pr. Deborah Olufunmilayo Makinde

5. Vice-présidente (Afrique de l'Est) : Pr. Entissar Elrashid

6. Vice-présidente (Afrique centrale) : Pr. Aminatou Pecha

7. Secrétaire générale : Pr. Faguèye Ndiaye

8. Vice-secrétaire : Dr Ini Adinya

9. Trésorière : Pr. Sophie Dabo

10. Chargée de communication et d'information : Dr. Angela Tabiri


 

Veuillez me joindre pour féliciter la présidente élue et tous les nouveaux membres du comité permanent de l'AWMA. Je tiens à remercier tous les membres du comité électoral pour leur diligence et leur dévouement.


 

Plus de détails sur les résultats sont disponibles en pièce jointe.


 

Cordialement,

Aissa WADE

Au nom du

Comité électoral

 

 

AWMA Elections/ invitation to vote

Dear AWMA Member, 

This is to invite you to cast your votes for members of the standing committee of the African Women in Mathematics Association (AWMA). Your participation in this election will help shape the policies, strategies, and initiatives that will guide AWMA's growth and success.

 Please note that: 
➢ The voting period shall commence on September 29, 2024 at midnight GMT time and close on October 3, 2025 at 01:00 GMT. 
➢ The voting for  AWMA members is strictly ONE PERSON ONE VOTE for each position.
➢ Only AWMA members’ votes  will count. Ballots from non-members will be disqualified. 
➢ Ballots received outside the voting period will be disqualified.

All approved candidates for the position of AWMA's president are kindly requested to provide a compact vision statement of 200 words, if you haven’t done so yet. This background information, along with the candidates' CV will be shared with AWMA’s members.

Available vision statements and CV’s can be found at: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1j_I56012GVV-PGh3NMJlJUDfIZN_fCVl

Please find here the e-ballot link: https://forms.gle/ZyToYt5M2dnbSkFz5.


Best regards,
Aissa Wade
On behalf of the Election Committee

 
IN FRENCH
Chère membre de l'AWMA,

Nous vous invitons à voter pour les membres du bureau permanent de l'Association des femmes africaines en mathématiques (AWMA). Votre participation à cette élection contribuera à façonner les politiques, les stratégies et les initiatives qui guideront la croissance et le succès de l'AWMA.

Veuillez noter que :
• La période des votes débutera le 29 septembre 2024 à minuit  (GMT), et se terminera le 3 octobre 2025 à 1 h 00 GMT.
• Les membres votants de l'AWMA disposent du droit de vote à un vote par poste.
• Seuls les votes des membres de l'AWMA seront pris en compte. Les bulletins de vote des non-membres seront rejetés.
• Les bulletins de vote reçus hors période de vote seront rejetés.

Les candidates retenues pour le poste de présidente d’AWMA sont priées de fournir une déclaration de vision concise de 200 mots,  si ce n'est pas déjà fait. Ces informations, ainsi que leur CV, seront communiquées aux membres de l'AWMA.  

Les déclarations de vision et les CV sont disponibles à l'adresse : https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1j_I56012GVV-PGh3NMJlJUDfIZN_fCVl

Veuillez trouver ici pour le vote électronique : https://forms.gle/ZyToYt5M2dnbSkFz5.


Cordialement
Aissa Wade 
Pour Comité électoral

Inspiring Young Girls to Appreciate Mathematics; Mathematics the tool; Mathematics the indispensible tool for Science and Technology

Date or period of the conference
-
Venue of the conference

Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MINT)
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia

Activity Report of AWMA’s Workshop that was held on December 6th and 7th 2018, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 


Event: AWMA’s 3rd Workshop

Theme: Inspiring Young Girls to Appreciate Mathematics; Mathematics the tool; Mathematics the indispensible tool for Science and Technology

Date: 2018, 12, 6-7 

Region: East Africa 

Country: Ethiopia

City: Addis Ababa

Venue: Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MINT)


Contact Info: Yirgalem Tsegaye KIfle(PhD)

Department of Mathematics, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

AWMA Vice President for the Eastern Region of Africa

Number of Attendees 91

Women attendees: 65 

 

A short report on activities about women in mathematics:


As mentioned there were 91 participants out of which 65 were women from all over the country, including those from 11 other African countries. AWMA members, Female mathematicians and Mathematics Educators (both from Universities and High schools) and Senior Women in Science and other guests from relevant institutions. 

As per the theme of the conference, “Inspiring girls to appreciate the field of mathematics; mathematics the indispensible tool in science and technology”, we had invited speakers on topics relating girls and mathematics. One of the invited speaker, Mrs. Asegedech Shawl talked on the topic: Students’ Attitudes towards “Female Mathematics Teachers”; Lessons From my experience. She talked about her own experience when placed to teach mathematics right after her graduation(BSc. In mathematics) at some High school in Eritrea. The participants liked it! 

The other female invited speaker was the former Minister of Education in Ethiopia, and also the first female minister of the country. Dr. Gennet talked on “ Ethiopian Girls’ education on STEM”. She presented kind of how Ethiopian girls’ education progressed from the “No, you are a girl, you can’t take a course in math” kind of approach to “ Let’s inspire girls to the fields of Math and Science”, even if we still need to do a lot. 

Dr. ambassador Gennet shared her accumulated knowledge and experience as she passes from a student in the emperor’s time to a minister of education- ambassador of Ethiopia to India, and now retired but still fighting for girls’ right to math and science education and more. Participants liked that too. 

The “Queen of Mathematics” award was also the nucleus of the program that really was in symphony with the theme of the workshop. Two girls, the best of the best five female grade 12 students and the best of the best five female grade 8 students were awarded the “Queen of Mathematics” prize at the end of the second(last) day of the conference. 

We hope to host the 2019’s “Queen of Mathematics” award and it is going to be from all over the country. This means it requires travel, accommodation and food expenses and of course prizes, which includes: Some cash, books, custom-made sash on which “Queen of Mathematics” is embroidered, and a tiara for each of the two winners. Educational Institutions and organizations working along with them have promised to assist us in continuing our “Queen of Mathematics project”.

The workshop which included women mathematicians from other African countries was unique of its kind and of course it ended up being a headline of news papers in the city, and was also in the news on a number of TV channels. For the first time in the history of Ethiopian education, Ethiopians know the existence of an association called African Women in Mathematics and that it is determined to attract young girls to join the field of mathematics and it was discussed a lot. The idea of “queen of mathematics “award was really smart and attractive. Parents and educators were really happy and hoped to see it continue. 

We were looking forward to having AWMA’s general meeting here in Addis Ababa. The problem was that many couldn’t attend as expected because of financial problems. Unless we solve the funding problems AWMA is facing we can’t go ahead with our plans. For example, the election of new executive members was postponed for the second time now. So, this is an outstanding issue to solve, if we have to go ahead promoting mathematics and female mathematicians in Africa and inspire many more girls to join us. 

We women mathematicians in Ethiopia have also discussed how badly we need to form our “Ethiopian Women in Mathematics”, especially now that we saw how tough it was to organize this workshop; empowerment comes as a result of networking. In fact, it could be one temporary solution to use our small local networks in each country, and technology to unite us and conduct our general assembly somehow virtually when it seems to be impossible to organize it at one location. The possibility of voting using ICT, which was mentioned by Prof. Marie Francoise Ouedraogo, could probably be realized this way; though it requires further deliberations and exhausting other means. 

 

A short report of academic activities: 

Of course there were a number of presentations in mathematical modeling. 

Schehrazad Selmane

Predictive model application to Scorpion Envenommation, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene. Algeria 

Manalebish Debalike Asfaw 

Modelling Treatment Switching: As drug resistance develops for HIV, patients may switch from one drug cocktail to another. Is there an optimal time to switch treatments? Department of Mathematics, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Mary Fomboh-Nforba 

Modelling the Malaria Vector Population Dynamics: A Reproductive Stage-structured Mode, l Yah, University of Buea, P.O.Box 63 Buea, Cameroon

Ibtissam Medarhri

Some Numericals methods in Finance and Environment Mines – Rabat, Morocco

kaouthar Boubekeur

On the use of count regression models for modelling monthly scorpion sting cases, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene. Algeria

Prof. Senelani Hove-Musekwa

Cost-effectiveness analysis of hospitalization and home-based care strategies for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in high prevalence areas

28 ABBOT AVENUE, PADDONHURST, BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE

Safia Manar Elislam Benoumhani

On Permutation Polynomials Over Finite Fields, kaouthar Boubekeur, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene. Algeria

Prof. F. Z. Nouri

Mathematics in Medecine and Pharmacology Laboratoire de Modlisation Mathmatique et Simulation Numrique Universit Badji Mokhtar, Annaba, Algeria

Chisara Ogbogbo

A Mathematical model of climate, Department of Mathematics, University of Ghana 

Dr Entisar Alrasheed

Stochastic models in science and technology University of Bahri - College of computer science and mathematics – Sudan Achamyelesh Amare

Analysis of a mathematical model of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia Wollo University, Ethiopia

 

Future Plan 

We are planning to Continue with the “Queen of Mathematics project-

  1. Continue picking the best two girls from the whole country( one from 8th grade and one from 12th grade) every year and award them

  2. Create interest in those who believe that they are not meant to be mathematicians or to do mathematics at all

    1. By making use of Summer camps to invite some female students from remote areas and help them see various aspects of Mathematics

    2. By paying visits to female students in remote areas and do the same

    3. Introduce little incentives( awards) to be administered by the Educational Bureaus in the vicinity to strengthen competitiveness among girls

    4. To do some researches in cooperation with interested groups, and address issues that impede girls from being attracted to the fields of Mathematics. 


 Educational Institutions and organizations working along with them have promised to assist us in continuing our “Queen of Mathematics project”. So of what remains from CWM’s fund, we will prepare 2019’s “Queen of Mathematics” award and it is going to be from all over the country. This means it requires travel, accommodation and food expenses and of course prizes, which includes: Some cash, books, custom-made sash on which “Queen of Mathematics” is embroidered, and a tiara for each of the two winners. 

 

Conclusions and recommendations:

Many female educators who never had access either to the news or exposure to such a workshop in mathematics was really inspirational. They saw great African women mathematicians with a lot of self-confidence. On the other hand, most of the lectures were on applications of mathematics; this has given them the opportunity to see where mathematics could be applied to solve real world problems. Moreover, networking is also another advantage of such a workshop. Many young women in mathematics were introduced to lady mathematicians who are experienced in the area, hopefully they will continue to communicate via emails and facebook. 

Participants: AWMA members and Mathematicians from 11 African countries

Country

Number of participants

Affiliation

Algeria

4

AWMA Exec.,Invited Speaker, two PhD students

Burkina Faso

1

AWMA president

Cote D’Ivoire

1

A PhD student

Egypt

1

An invited speaker

Ethiopia

76

Uni staffs, invited speakers, Highschool female math teachers, students and guests

Ghana

1

AWMA member

Kenye

2

A n invited speaker, and an AWMA member

Morocco

2

AMU president, AWMA member

Nigeria

1

AWMA member

Sudan

1

AWMA member

Zimbabwe

1

AWMA sec.

Total

15+76 = 91


 

 

Sponsors:

  • CWM 

  • ISP, Sweden

  • Ministry of Innovation and Technology 

  • LMS-AMMSI CONFERENCE TRAVEL GRANTS


 



 

 



 

AWMA Elections for 2025-2029

Dear Colleagues, 

The term of the current standing committee of the African Women in Mathematics Association (AWMA) ended in December 2024. In view of this, AWMA announces the new election season for the association. The following are the elective positions of AWMA:
 
1. The President.
2. The Secretary General.
3. Vice Secretary
4. The Treasurer.
5. The Vice President for the Northern Africa Region.
6. The Vice President for the Southern Africa Region.
7. The Vice President for the Eastern Africa Region.
8. The Vice President for the Western Africa Region.
9. The Vice President for the Central Africa Region.
10. Publicity and Information Officer

Please submit your nomination by September 16, 2025: here is the link:
 
Thank you
Prof. Aissa Wade
On behalf of the AWMA election committee
 
PS: The selection and announcement of candidates will be done by September 20, 2025 and the invitation to participate in the online voting will be sent out by September 23, 2025


 

IN FRENCH
 
Chères Collègues,

Le mandat du comité permanent actuel de l'Association des femmes africaines en mathématiques (AWMA) a pris fin en décembre 2024. Dans ce contexte, l'AWMA annonce  de nouvelles élections. Les postes électifs de l'AWMA sont les suivants :

1. La présidente.
2. La secrétaire générale.
3. La vice-secrétaire.
4. La trésorière.
5. La vice-présidente pour la région Afrique du Nord.
6. La vice-présidente pour la région Afrique australe.
7. La vice-présidente pour la région Afrique de l'Est.
8. La vice-présidente pour la région Afrique de l'Ouest.
9. La vice-présidente pour la région Afrique centrale.
10. Responsable de la communication et de l'information

Veuillez soumettre votre candidature avant le 16 septembre 2025 : voici le lien :
Professeur Aissa Wade
Au nom du comité électoral de l'AWMA

PS: La sélection et l'annonce des candidats auront lieu avant le 20 septembre 2025. L'invitation au vote en ligne sera envoyée avant le 23 septembre 2025.