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The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, says South Africa needs more women scientists to help reduce poverty and solve health problems.
Speaking at a function in Johannesburg on Friday morning, she said women's scientific skills and abilities are still very much under-utilised in the country.
She has also expressed concern that women scientists receive "far fewer" research grants from the National Research Foundation than men.
Pandor says astronomy has the potential to encourage young people to become scientists.
