African women in aerospace: a crucial scientific issue!

On 27 May 2021, the African Aeronautics & Space Organisation (AASO) is organising a webinar entitled « Women in Aerospace »: an exceptional meeting that will focus on the African women who shine in this very closed environment! AFRIK.COM had to be a partner of this event.

The lack of representation of women in industry, politics, higher education and in places of power and decision-making is still too great. The aerospace industry is not spared and in particular suffers from a lack of female science students, technicians, engineers, researchers and decision makers. AASO is organising this event and will highlight 5 exceptional women to discuss these issues.

Léone Ouedraogo, a BBC World Service journalist and presenter, will lead the debate. These five exceptional women will describe their respective backgrounds, their original motivation, their education and their professional experiences.

What difficulties have they encountered in their exceptional careers? What strategies have they successfully put in place to overcome these difficulties? What are they doing today?

What are their responsibilities? But first of all, who are these five exceptional women?

Dr Anne Marie Mainguy: she holds a doctorate in mathematics and a doctorate in physical sciences. For over 40 years, she has been working in the field of aeronautics and space sciences. In France, she has held management positions at the Office National des Etudes et Recherches Aéronautiques (ONERA) and the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES). She is the outgoing President of the Air and Space Academy.

Dr Abimbola Alale: She holds a PhD in Security Studies and Strategies from Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria. She also holds a Master’s degree in Space Studies (MSc) from the International Space Institute (ISU), Strasbourg-France. She is the current CEO of Nigeria CEO of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT).

Dr Nana Ama Browne Klutse: She is a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana. She holds a PhD in climatology with a background in physics. Her research interests include climate modelling and earth observation. She has led numerous projects in space science and mentors young women and men in educational activities.

Ms. Souad Elmallem: Chief Representative, Strategy and International Business Development, Africa at Bombardier Aerospace for nearly 15 years and was responsible for Bombardier Aerospace’s investment of nearly $200 million in Morocco. She is now an executive partner of 6temik, a firm that advises international companies to invest in the Aerospace sector in Africa.

Ms. Edith Mala Diop: she holds a master’s degree in transport management and an airline pilot’s diploma. Currently, she is a senior first officer in a prestigious airline in the Middle East. She has more than 5,900 hours of flight time on twin-engine A320, A330 and four-engine A340 aircraft for multiple international airlines.

Congratulations to her and to the African Aeronautics & Space Organisation (AASO) for organising this seminar!