As part of its response to the vision of the National Research and Development Strategy, which is to improve the quality of life of all South Africans, the Department of Science and Technology recognises the achievement of women scientists in South Africa or Africa by rewarding outstanding work done by women in research.  

Through the Women in Science Awards, the Department aims to increase the number of prominent women scientists and their access to research professions in the country, and to profile them as role models for younger women scientists and girls countrywide.

These awards also form part of the Department's celebration of National Women's Month.  The 2009 Women in Science Awards categories were:

• Distinguished Woman Scientist in the Area of Natural Sciences or Engineering. 
•  Achiever Award for a Woman Scientist in Industry.
• Best Emerging Young Woman Scientist in the Area of Natural Sciences or Engineering.

• Achiever Award for a Woman Researcher in the Area of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Local Innovation.

• Fellowships for Women Scientists (three).
• Tata Africa Scholarships for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (three).

The winners of the 2009 awards were announced at a function in Johannesburg on 21 August.