A league of distinguished Women Scientists from across Africa held her first webinar on winning the fight against Covid-19, while witnessing participants from across Africa.

The webinar which started around 9am GMT today had in attendance Her Excellency, Professor Sarah Ayang Agbor, African Union (AU) commissioner for Human Resources Science and Technology (HRST); Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola, the Vice-chancellor of Chrisland University from Nigeria; Prof. Gaya Guermouche, Bionut Laboratory member Tlemcen University Algeria; Prof. Phaswana Mafuya from South Africa; Prof. Catherine Ngila from Kenya; Prof. Esther Akinlabi; Prof. Phaswana Mafuya from South Africa; Prof. Theresa Akenji from Cameroon as well as Dr. Monica Idinoba.

In her speech, Prof. Theresa stressed the effect of covid-19 on women’s livelihood and how it is affecting their economic lifestyle in Cameroon. She explained that Covid-19 has resulted into increase in gender based violence: psychological and domestic. It has also made most of the women to lose their job.

Prof. Theresa who noted that on the positive side, women have been able to find their survival in the making of hand washing soaps, making of clothe masks in the fight against covid-19, recommended that there should be decentralization of testing and treatment centres.

Prof. Gaya Guermouche while speaking on the topic ‘Antiviral Activity of Herbal Medicines and Phytochemicals Against Covid-19, emphasized that the Algeria is using a lot of herbal medicine to treat SARS infection but it is very difficult to create a vaccine for Covid-19. In her words:

“plants that have anti-viral properties include flower of honeysuckle, Korean ginseng, nootka or wild rose among others. Recent researches have proven that herbs and oil may have a part to play in counteracting covid-19”.

Her Excellency, Prof. Sarah Ayang Agbor AU commissioner was not left out in the intellectual discourse. She reiterated the effort of the African Union (AU) in fighting the menace of Covid-19 and also stressed the importance of herbal medicine in tackling the virus. She explained thus:

“African pharmacopoeia has proven over the years that herbal medication can fight SARS. How to translate those herbal medicine into modern drug is what the AU is poised to achieving through African Scientific and Research Institute (ASRI).

Africa has not been able to experience the European prophesy concerning Covid-19 pandemic in African states because of the African approach used in tackling the pandemic.”

In her closing remark, she made known that this is an opportune moment for African Women Scientists to rise up to the challenge and support in building an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa as envisioned in Agenda 2063.