112176 20240319080957.0 doi 10.1371/journal.pone.0265413 sideral 128318 ART-2022-128318 eng Sougou, Ndèye Marème Barriers of West African women scientists in their research and academic careers: A qualitative research 2022 Access copy available to the general public Unrestricted Objective This study aims to identify barriers to the professional advancement of women researchers in West Africa. Methods This was a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional qualitative study conducted between June and September 2020 in five West African countries (Ghana, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali). Interviews were conducted with 21 female and 9 male health researchers by video call. After transcription, the data was thematically analysed using an inductive process. Results Four themes associated with barriers to women’s careers development were identified. First. was family- and environmental-related barriers. Gender norms that assign domestic tasks and responsibilities to women reduced the time they were able to dedicate to research. Second was gender insensitive organisational culture and institutional policies that deepened gender disparities and made it more difficult for women to attain leadership positions. Third was the need for women in research to undergo emancipation programs to strengthen their resilience and ability to make critical decisions as strategic approaches to address the challenges faced by women in the academia were a lot more focused on addressing their relationship with their spouse. Forth, was the individual intermediate perception of professional and personal success which for many women, they perceive themselves as competent as their male counterparts and should not be subject to the gender discrimination they experience. Conclusion The web created between work-life and home-life for West African women researchers mainly as a result of the gender inequalities in the social structure will require more medium- and long-term strategic planning by institutional authorities to reduce gender disparities in research and academia. This work has highlighted the influence of family and social life on the professional lives of West African women researchers. The study could help contribute to the development of gender equality interventions for the career development of women researchers in West Africa. info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess by http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/ 3.7 2022 MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES 26 / 73 = 0.356 2022 Q2 T2 0.885 2022 Multidisciplinary 2022 Q1 6.0 2022 info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion Ndiaye, Oumy Nabil, Farah Universidad de Zaragoza Folayan, Morenike Oluwatoyin Sarr, Samba Cor Mbaye, Elhadji M. Martínez-Pérez, Guillermo Z. 1006 255 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Fisiatría y Enfermería Área Enfermería 17, 3 (2022), 0265413 [15 pp] PLoS One PLoS ONE 1932-6203 465845 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/112176/files/texto_completo.pdf Versión publicada 2205637 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/112176/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon icon Versión publicada oai:zaguan.unizar.es:112176 articulos driver 2024-03-18-13:43:04 ARTICLE