Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina: The Role of Science Diplomacy in Women's Empowerment: The South African-Tunisian Experience”

H.E. Ms. Karima Bardaoui, Ambassador of Tunisia to South Africa 
Dr Barbara Glover, AUDA-NEPAD representative.
Ms. Nthabiseng Sepanya-Mogale, Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality.
Dr Ndumiso Cingo, Chairperson of the Steering Committee of Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa.
Dr Hazel Gooding (PhD), UN Women Deputy Representative, UN Women South Africa Country Office, 
Ambassadors.
Heads of Institutions
Ladies and Gentlemen 
 
It is with great excitement to join our Tunisian friends today and I extend a warm message at this important gathering to celebrate very important people "women".  The month of August is an important month for both countries, South Africa and Tunisia as the two countries celebrate their women’s day on 9 and 13 August, respectively. 
 
The relationship between South Africa and Tunisia on Science, Technology and Innovation matters dates back to 2010 when a bilateral agreement between South Africa and Tunisia was signed.
 
Since then, the two countries funded the first research call focusing on some of the agreed areas of mutual interest to a joint total of $500,000, and a second joint research call that was managed by the National Research Foundation and its Tunisia counterpart, to a joint total of R14 million (R7 million per country) and funded 7 projects at R1 million each.
 
It therefore gives us pleasure as the DSTI to see the partnership between the two countries grow in leaps and bounds.   It is no coincidence that today we are talking about the Role of Science Diplomacy in Women Empowerment: Tunisian-South African Experience”.  As both countries, we believe science diplomacy is very important, and science knows no borders; we therefore must collaborate with each other.   
 
We cannot also shy away from the fact that we share a long history and similar challenges.   
 
The bond between our countries was forged in the heat of the anti-colonial struggle.  After the banning of the African National Congress (ANC) and other political parties, carried out by the apartheid regime.
 
On behalf of our government and the people of South Africa, I wish to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the people of Tunisia for supporting us during the dark days of the anti-colonial struggle.
 
Let me now talk about the work that the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) does to advance women support and science diplomacy.  The DSTI derives its mandate from the 2019 White Paper on Science, Technology and Innovation, which emphasizes inclusivity, transformation, partnerships to address policy coherence, the development of human capabilities, knowledge expansion, innovation performance and increased investment that will result in the economic, socio-political and intellectual benefits of STI being enjoyed by all South Africans.
 
Partnerships with our fellow African countries is key as we share the same challenges and need to empower one another.  There is a lot that South Africa could learn from Tunisia as Tunisia has one of the most progressive constitutions in the Arab world regarding gender equality, guaranteeing equal rights and access to education and work.
 
It was noted with pride that women make up a high proportion of university graduates in Tunisia, especially in Science Technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
 
According to UNESCO data, over 55% of science graduates in Tunisia are women -one of the highest rates globally.  Women hold leadership positions in universities, research centers and scientific councils. This was proven to be true during our Minister’s visit to Tunisia in July 2025, where he was welcomed by women in the various institutions during the institutional visits.  Surely South Africa has to learn how Tunisia has managed to overcome the challenge of inclusivity and gender equality.
 
Whereas there has been notable progress in women’s representation in education, it is however noted that, Tunisia just like South Africa, still faces the same challenges of underrepresentation of women in top decision-making structures and in research and innovation leadership and management roles.  There is still limited access to funding, cultural expectations and balancing professions with family responsibilities.  These are the same challenges that are experienced by women in South Africa.
 
As part of science diplomacy for women empowerment, Institutions such as the Tunisian Association of Women in Science (ATFiS) that advocates for visibility and networking opportunities for women researchers are very important and could be used as instruments for women in both countries forging links and sharing expertise and best practices. This could only be done through equitable and sustainable partnerships. 
 
Our Departmental policies on Science, Technology and Innovation focus on using STI to help the country benefit from rapid technological advancements and respond to the threats associated with the global shifts. We are insisting that women must not be left behind in this epoch, in fact, the numbers must move even more higher using the available instruments to set-aside for women as part of inclusion.
 
Our STI Decadal Plan expands the role that STI can play, for instance, in reindustrialization through modernizing traditional sectors such asagriculture, mining and manufacturing, exploiting new and emerging sources of growth in the digital and circular economies, while maintaining a focus on priority research programmes in health, energy, climate change, the future of education, work and skills, and the future of society.  The Innovation for service delivery is a cross-cuttingtheme in the Decadal Plan.   
 
As the Department, we have made a significant emphasis on the deliberate inclusion of women in its various programmes and initiatives. This strategic focus aims to promote gender equality and enhance the participation of women in STEM, as well as other critical sectors.  We align our commitments with national gender policies and international commitments to gender equality.
 
Furthermore, we have put up programmes designed to increase the participation of women in STEM fields by providing financial support to female students pursuing degrees in STEM disciplines, establishing mentorship and networking opportunities for women in STEM to enhance their career development and allocating research funding to projects led by women scientists and researchers.  We have committed to various capacity-building initiatives aimed at empowering women with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in their careers. These interventions include leadership development programmes for women to prepare them for senior management and executive roles through provision of technical and vocational training.  We support women entrepreneurs within the innovation ecosystem by offering business advisory services, training, and mentorship whilst facilitating access to funding and financial support to their startups.
 
These efforts, I believe, can be strengthened by your Tunisian women experiences, and so is our experiences to the Tunisian women as well.
 
One of the exciting programme that women emerge as the most beneficiaries is the Grassroots innovators Programme (GIP) of the Department. We go down to rural and township communities to support small innovators and help them grow their ideas, shape them and fund the process to the protype status level. 
 
South Africa has made commendable strides.in promoting women in science through the following initiatives: through NRF funding instruments for Masters and PhDs. Our annual SA Women in Science Awards bears testimony on numbers of women doing cutting edge research in various fields each year, funded by our own instruments. We also have SKA Bursaries, which one of the Tunisian ladies, Dr Raja Mchaalia, is a beneficiary. 

In addition to re-shaping and breaking societal perceptions about women and science, women still face implicit biases in hiring and in peer review mechanisms, while many still lack access to mentorship, funding, and networks. These challenges are not unique to South Africa. Globally, women are underrepresented in patents, in tech start-ups, and in the highest academic ranks (WIPO, 2022; National Science Foundation, 2023).
 
We are here to insist that science diplomacy without a gender dimension into it is incomplete. We, as women across borders must start collaborating on joint scientific and research projects, more than before. We must support each other across nation states. As one American famous author Ms. Julie Spira once said it ‘Women supporting each other, instead of competing against each other, brings a unity and strength like no other”. Let’s hold hands and empower each other across our countries!
 
I wish you fruitful deliberations.
 
Thank you! 

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