This is also the case for female scientists in agriculture. Dr Lia Rotherham, a researcher at the Agricultural Research Council, ARC, still stands firm and says her motivation is to make a difference in people's livelihoods. OFM News' Christal-Lize Muller spoke to Rotherham as part of OFM's focus on women in the industry during August which is Women's Month.  

See PODCAST below

She says female scientists do not get the respect that their fellow male colleagues receive in this field. It is frustrating, but she continues to enjoy her passion for animals. 

Rotherham says as a female scientist, she, however, stays motivated because she realises the role animals have to play in people's livelihoods. 

She says there are a few leading female scientists in the agricultural industry and it is a challenge, especially in rural communities and certain African cultures where females don't get the respect that they need. In some cultures, it is usually only a male voice that can speak to the elderly and leaders in communities, not women. 

She says part of her daily duties is to finish projects in the laboratory, doing analyses on computers to try and find out what the laboratory results mean. She also completes administrative tasks for projects. Rotherham is researching optimising diagnostic assays by finding new assays or develop improved diagnostic assays available for poultry and livestock diseases. 

Her research started at the University of Pretoria in the Zoology Department and from there onward she wanted to be part of agriculture and ensure that people's livelihoods can continue through the use of safe meat, among others.

OFM News