Africa’s Women and the Promotion of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Science and Technology

The document highlights a significant gender gap in nuclear diplomacy and science, noting that African delegations at NPT review conferences (19802015) had the lowest women's representation at 18%. It argues that women are disproportionately affected by nuclear radiation and conflict, yet are excluded from security dockets and decision-making. The brief emphasizes the potential of peaceful nuclear science and technology (NST) to advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa, particularly in electricity generation, agriculture, and medicine, noting a critical lack of facilities to treat cervical cancer, the most common female cancer on the continent. It also addresses the legacy of French nuclear tests in Algeria, where victims, particularly women, remain under-researched and uncompensated. The authors recommend prioritizing treaty obligations, investing in nuclear medicine, and increasing women's representation in nuclear education and multilateral delegations.

• African women are severely under-represented in multilateral forums concerning weapons of mass destruction. Between 1980 and 2015, African delegations at Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) review conferences had the lowest rates of women representation, peaking at only 18%, which is significantly below the global average of 27%.
• The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) is the first international agreement to explicitly recognize the disproportionate impact of nuclear weapons on women. It mandates that signatories provide age- and gender-sensitive assistance, including medical and psychological support, and promotes the effective participation of women in nuclear disarmament.
• Women are biologically more susceptible to the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. This vulnerability is particularly relevant to the legacy of 17 French nuclear tests conducted in Algeria between 1960 and 1966, the impacts of which remain opaque and uncompensated, with no official studies released to date.
• Peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology (NST) can drive development in Africa, but women are often excluded from these benefits. Specifically, Africa lacks the human resources and equipment to treat cervical cancer, which is the most common female cancer on the continent.
• There is a growing interest among African countries in nuclear power for electricity generation due to climate change and energy deficits. In sub-Saharan Africa, only 46% of the population had electricity access as of 2021, with 471 million people in rural areas lacking power.
• Women in executive government positions globally are typically assigned to portfolios related to social affairs, family, or environment, and none occupy the security docket, reflecting a gendered view of security as a masculine domain.

APA

BOSMAN, I., & VAN WYK, J.-A. (2022). Africa’s Women and the Promotion of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Science and Technology. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SAIIA_PI_140_AfricasWomenPromotion.pdf

Chicago

BOSMAN, ISABEL, and JO-ANSIE VAN WYK. Africa’s Women and the Promotion of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Science and Technology. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2022. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SAIIA_PI_140_AfricasWomenPromotion.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=BOSMAN |first1=ISABEL |last2=VAN WYK |first2=JO-ANSIE |title=Africa’s Women and the Promotion of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Science and Technology |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=November 2022 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SAIIA_PI_140_AfricasWomenPromotion.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bosman2022africas, author = {BOSMAN, ISABEL and VAN WYK, JO-ANSIE}, title = {{Africa’s Women and the Promotion of Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Science and Technology}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2022}, month = nov, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SAIIA_PI_140_AfricasWomenPromotion.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }