On the 11^th of February 2022, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This day serves not only as a celebration of the contributions that women have made to the various scientific fields including mathematics, chemistry, medicine and agriculture, but also serves as a reminder of how far we still have to go to ensure equal opportunity for women to grow and lead in research, education, and development. As we celebrate women in science today, we also celebrate the achievements of one of our own, Dr Lerato Phali.

Dr Lerato Phali who joined the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development at the University of Pretoria in 2021, completed her PhD in Agricultural Economics at the University of KwaZulu Natal. This achievement is made more impressive by the fact that it has broken records at UKZN. Dr Lerato Phali is one of the youngest doctoral graduates in this degree and is only the second Black South African to graduate in Agricultural Economics at UKZN. This achievement is not only one that she celebrates but is also celebrated by her colleagues at UP who are looking forward to her contributions to the field of Agricultural Economics. She will be teaching applied econometrics and agricultural price and market analysis.

Dr Phali became interested in agriculture at a young age and took agriculture as a subject in high school. Here, she learned about the science and the economic side of agriculture. Dr Phali says, “I really enjoyed how agricultural economics integrated the technical aspects of the agricultural system with the commercial facets such as economics, management, and accounting which many people don’t get to learn about.” Her interest in the field grew when she started her university studies and had the opportunity to meet “phenomenal, like-minded people”. She also says that the most rewarding part of her studies was, “working with rural communities and witnessing how much their lives can be improved development policy and implementation come together. It showed me that there is still so much to be done.”

Dr Phali’s PhD, which was funded by the Water Research Commission, focussed on water economics and governance. She conducted her research under the supervision of Professor Maxwell Mudhara and Professor Stuart Ferrer. Her study “evaluated vertical and horizontal integration in the governance of water resources in rural areas. While South African water legislature and policies are deemed very good compared to other countries, the implementation is not efficient and thus adversely affects farmers. This is important because once the solutions are recognized and heeded, the effectiveness of policies can be improved, therefore improving the situation for our rural farmers. The study further explored factors affecting the participation of water users in the management of the resources, as this will affect how government strategies such as Participatory Irrigation Management can be successful. It also considered the productivity of water users and how governance plays a role in their income-making capabilities.” She chose to focus on water and governance because it is “an aspect that is usually overlooked in the economics of agriculture. I particularly liked that it was multidisciplinary and was certainly going to help me tap into academic spheres I was not familiar with, which made it a good challenge.”

This achievement is not only something that Dr Phali should be proud of. It also serves as an inspiration for younger generations of black women to consider a career in the sciences. She believes that “our young black women need to be encouraged to take on science careers. Careers in science and their benefits should be celebrated in our societies so that more young people yearn to be part of the industries.”

Women continue to be undervalued and underestimated in STEM disciplines across the world, despite the major contributions that they make, in all fields of study. It is therefore important that while we call for equality, we also recognise the achievements and contributions that inspirational women such as Dr Phali are already making today. In the words of UN General Secretary António Guterres, “I call on everyone to create an environment where women can realize their true potential and today’s girls become tomorrow’s leading scientists and innovators, shaping a fair and sustainable future for all.”