WOMEN FOR SCIENCE

1. WOMEN FOR SCIENCE Improving the collection of gender disaggregated data for S&T policy making MEXICO CITY By Dr. (Mrs.) Manju Sharma on April 21st 2009

2. Hon’ble Past President of India DR. A.P.J. ABDULKALAM’S Address at the Inauguration of the National Seminar on Women, Science and Technology – Bangalore 21st August, 2006 “Definitely all women scientists can play an important role in the national development.” ….. “The number of women scientists’ world over has been growing at a faster pace. Removing any impediments that come in the way of our harnessing this vast pool of brilliant, hardworking and dedicated knowledge power, should be the focus of this Seminar.”

3. It is to be ensured that a people-centric sustainable development ensures women’s equal access to science & technology, education, training, economic resources, information, communication and marketing.

4. Women constitute half of humanity, yet the number in mathematics, physical sciences, engineering, etc. is low. Also these professional women seldom reach the pinnacle of the hierarchy in academic and research institutions.

5. Phenomenal Technological Advances A critical mass of scientists, engineers, educators, health and agriculture professionals, technicians covering a wide spectrum are needed.

6. Utilization of the talents of women should not be viewed only from the perspective of gender equity. It must be understood that full involvement of women in scientific and technological efforts is today essential for rapid economic development and sustainable happiness.

7. Global Capacity Building • Gender equality • Access to information • Retention of girls in leaky pipeline, specially at the tertiary and mid-career level

8. Statistics have been presented in many reports and the trend is in the last two decades, increasing number of women joining science and technology e.g. in U.S., very large number of Ph Ds in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics and other areas. • In India, about 40% of university positions taken by women in 2000. • 22% in engineering and technology, 40% in science (INSA 2004 Report)

9. A critical issue is the inclusiveness on part of the S&T leadership world over. • Commitment at the highest level. • Review of policies and procedures. • Transparency in appointments, recruitments, promotions, awards, etc. • Leadership training and mentoring.

10. The basic philosophy must be to advocate S&T application which would foster job oriented economic growth and social happiness.

11. Role of Academies U S PANEL (Times of India : 20.09.2006) “Such under-use of precious human capital” “Unless a deeper talent pool is tapped, it will be difficult for our country to maintain our competitiveness in science and engineering”

12. Academies to Lead the Way • Commitment from the top to Good Management Practice • Establish a diversity committee that reports to the President and Council

13. Academies all over the world being the global professional bodies must lead the way for welcoming women scientists and engineers. • They should include gender issues on their agenda, widen the nomination pool. • continuously data monitoring • Increasing women’s participation and visibility. • Sponsoring and evaluating research etc.

14. Academies are uniquely placed to lead in the shaping of the scientific workforce • Academy members are uniquely placed to reinforce the commitment to women in their institutions • The science community can only change if the elite sets the example.

15. Establish a committee that addresses gender issues and track progress • Promote women members to decision-making levels and appoint women scientists to panels and committees • Increase the number of women scientists in the nomination pool for membership, prizes, and awards, give visibility to women scientists, and represent women as well as men in the academy’s portrayal of science

16. Pay attention to gender implications of the research it supports and evaluates • Adopt good management practice—that is, inclusiveness—in its institutions and advocate such practice across the S&T community

17. Key Tool - Good Management Practices • Top-level commitment • Reviewing policies & procedures for gender impact • Transparency in communication, recruitment, promotion • Widening the “inner circle” • Leadership training and monitoring • Supporting a healthy work-family balance • Regular monitoring; sex-disaggregated statistics

18. Advocating and promoting education and careers of women • Engaging women as partners in S & T global capacity building • Creating inclusive institutional climate • Advising governments and key players on specific actions.

19. Main emphasis on positive actions: • It requires – commitment to equal pay for equal work • Women in top management positions • Flexible working hours • Crèches • Changing organizational culture • To accommodate a more diverse work force.

20. Science & technology must be harnessed in a gender sensitive manner • Urgent need for confidence building amongst women scientists • It is important to understand and take into account the multiple role women have to play and provide suitable support systems to reduce their drudgery and strain.

21. To consider health, food and nutritional security absolutely critical; advise governments to launch specific targeted missions to take care of pregnant and nursing mothers and children in particular.

22. Networking amongst women scientists and technologists, academic and research institutions, NGOs, international bodies and governments.

23. Some Special Features Relating to Gender Issues A global strategy needed for building a policy in Science & Technology, establishing gender equality and allowing full participation by women.

24. In Governments, Research Institutions, Academia and Industry. A large number of organizations world over involved in pushing and pursuing these agenda.

25. United Nations 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing with 20,000 participants. It focused on rights of women to acquire – • Education • Economic Power • Inclusion in leadership • Involvement in decision making

26. It resulted in Beijing declaration and platform for actions. • UN has taken many initiatives for education of girls and their career in S&T. • These include the gender Advisory Board of United Nations Commission on S&T for Development ( UNCSTD) and the Boards Global Network.

27. UNESCO many initiatives – Regional Chairs for women, networks, honours etc. (Details are available in the Report on Women for Science – June 2006)

28. The UNCSTD Gender Advisory Board produced a tool kit for gender indicator in S&T to facilitate a collection and comparison of gender disaggregated data.

29. Provide steady support to girls and women to integrate them in to the S&T enterprises • The academies must influence other organizations.

30. To Conclude • Rapid, but uneven transformation of society caused by phenomenal S & T progress the world over.

31. The dawn of 21st Century marked by a clear message – sustainable transformation through knowledge as a driving force for human development. Knowledge of science leading to the industrial revolution and important technological capabilities driving and opening up new production avenues.

32. The Millennium Summit has recommended an unprecedented and extensive use of knowledge for the welfare of the humankind. The 3rd Millennium Development Goal also calls for gender equity and empowering of women.

33. Governments to take cognizance of the gender data and incorporate women related issues in the policy for the progress of S&T. • While merit would be the main criteria for honours, recognitions, important positions, representation in high level delegations and policy making bodies etc. women must be brought on the platform where decisions are taken. • There will be need for total transparency of operations.

34. Academies can advise States to give major thrust world over to create knowledge- based society with full involvement of women scientists and technologists; create a strong sustainable science & technology base which will affect all the social levels. This intellectual capital of half of the human resource on the planet Earth should be an integral part of the accelerated S&T drive towards progress, peace and happiness of humanity.

35. Gender Revolution in S&T French physics olympiad winning team

36. Women Essential for Capacity Building “When a man is educated, an individual is educated, when a woman is educated, a family and a country are educated” Mahatma Gandhi

37. THANKS