Improving the collection of gender disaggregated data for S&T
policy making
MEXICO CITY
By
Dr. (Mrs.) Manju Sharma
on
April 21st 2009
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Phenomenal Technological Advances
A critical mass of scientists, engineers, educators, health and agriculture professionals, technicians covering a wide spectrum are needed.
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.
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.
Global Capacity Building
Gender equality
Access to information
Retention of girls in leaky pipeline, specially at the tertiary and mid-career level
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.
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)
A critical issue is the inclusiveness on part of the S&T leadership world over.
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.
The basic philosophy must be to advocate S&T application which would foster job oriented economic growth and social happiness.
The basic philosophy must be to advocate S&T application which would foster job oriented economic growth and social happiness.
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”
Academies to Lead the Way
Commitment from the top to Good Management Practice
Establish a diversity committee that reports to the President and Council
Academies all over the world being the global professional bodies must lead the way for welcoming women scientists and engineers.
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.
Academies are uniquely placed to lead in the shaping of the scientific workforce
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.
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
Pay attention to gender implications of the research it supports and evaluates
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
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
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.
Main emphasis on positive actions:
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.
Science & technology must be harnessed in a gender sensitive manner
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.
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.
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.
Networking amongst women scientists and technologists, academic and research institutions, NGOs, international bodies and governments.
Networking amongst women scientists and technologists, academic and research institutions, NGOs, international bodies and governments.
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.
In Governments, Research Institutions, Academia and Industry.
In Governments, Research Institutions, Academia and Industry.
A large number of organizations world over involved in pushing and pursuing these agenda.
United Nations 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing with 20,000 participants. It focused on rights of women to acquire –
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
It resulted in Beijing declaration and platform for actions.
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.
UNESCO many initiatives –
UNESCO many initiatives –
Regional Chairs for women, networks, honours etc.
(Details are available in the Report on Women for Science – June 2006)
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.
Provide steady support to girls and women to integrate them in to the S&T enterprises
Provide steady support to girls and women to integrate them in to the S&T enterprises
The academies must influence other organizations.
To Conclude
Rapid, but uneven transformation of society caused by phenomenal S & T progress the world over.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Governments to take cognizance of the gender data and incorporate women related issues in the policy for the progress of S&T.
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.
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.
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.
