ADAUDE AMALUNWEZE
BIO
Adaude Amalunweze is a quality analyst at Dangote Cement Plc (Nigeria) and a mother of one.
Adaude Amalunweze
“On returning from maternity leave, I was denied promotions multiple times due to maternal biases.”
In the realm of STEMM, the journey for women often comes with unique challenges. I live and work in Nigeria and I’m a mother of one. I’m a quality analyst and educator who has defied the odds in my career and navigated the complex terrain of motherhood with determination and resilience. From my early academic successes at the University of Nigeria, where I obtained my BSc and Master’s with distinction, to my subsequent role in Quality Control at Dangote Cement Plc, my aptitude for scientific exploration was always recognised. However, my STEMM journey took a turn when I became a mother.
As the eldest of seven children , I bore early responsibilities of caregiving and concerns about the potential discrimination women face in the workplace were ever-present. I deliberately delayed marriage to focus on my career, a decision influenced by my determination to succeed in a highly competitive male-dominated industry.
My decision to start a family in 2020 while pursuing a demanding career marked a significant life change. Having a partner who lived and worked in a different town, added a layer of complexity to my role as a mother, while coping with the demands of my professional life. Furthermore, my maternity leave ushered in a new chapter, where the challenges of returning to work and facing maternity biases became apparent.
Returning from maternity leave, I faced workplace marginalization—being viewed as less competent and being handed “lighter” duties as a new mom. This not only affected my confidence levels, but I was also denied promotions multiple times due to these maternal biases.
I found myself working on shifts, leaving my 11-month-old son in the care of my mother, as I couldn’t combine my long working hours with nurturing a newborn. The emotional, physical, and mental toll was immense. Many nights, I would cry myself to sleep as I couldn’t help but miss him.
Experiences like this underscore the biases women, particularly mothers, often encounter in the workplace. Yet, I tackled these hurdles head-on. The support system I have built has become crucial in my journey. Mothers in Science (MiS), a community I discovered through a friend and classmate in 2022, provided me with a network of women facing similar challenges. Also worthy of mention are my colleagues and the magnificent women of the Dangote Women's Network (DWN). Their support and the encouragement from my family and friends became an anchor during the tough times. Currently, I advocate for policy changes via the Dangote Women’s Network, Okpella Chapter. I have collaborated with top management to establish nursing rooms, flexible hours, and job-sharing options specifically benefiting employee mothers and women in the industry.
Despite the sleepless nights, health complications, and moments of self-doubt, being a mother is my biggest accomplishment as a woman. The hurdles I faced in my career as a mother in STEMM did not deter me; instead, they fueled my determination to succeed.
My journey exemplifies the power of determination, resilience, and relentless ambition. As I set my sights on pursuing a PhD in life sciences abroad, I hope to become a symbol of hope and inspiration to other mothers and scientists worldwide.
My story demonstrates that with passion, determination, and the right support system, one can overcome the challenges of being a mother in STEMM and emerge stronger on the other side.
Not only do I aspire to become a trailblazer, but I also want to be an embodiment of the limitless possibilities that await those who dare to pursue their interests against all odds.