by Sarah Onyango
In Wednesday, March 8, 2017, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) hosted a special International Women’s Day Panel Discussion entitled “Is innovation sexist?”. The panelists shared their experiences from Brazil, Kenya, Southern Africa, and Sri Lanka. They touched on the personal and systemic challenges women face in driving innovation, debated the unique strengths women bring to innovation eco-systems, and discussed the positive developments they foresee in innovation. The beginning of the program featured remarks my Ms. Celina R. Caesar-Chavannes, federal MP for Whitby and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development. Moderator Rachel Vincent (Nobel Women’s Initiative) facilitated the very dynamic and thought-provoking exchanges between Helani Galpaya (LIRNEasia), Nozipho Motsa (University of Zululand), Cecilia Rocha (Centre for Studies in Food Security, Ryerson University), Tabitha Gathoni Mundia (2009 alumna of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Kenya).
About Sarah Onyango
Sarah Onyango is a well-known community leader and activist. She is the Community Outreach Officer for Black History Ottawa. Among her many awards are: Mathieu Da Costa Award, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, Ontario Volunteer Service Award, United Way Community Builder award, and Volunteer of the Year Award.
