1. SGCI Gender and Inclusivity Framework
Global Forum on Women in Scientific Research
GoFoWiSeR Meeting
19 July 2019
2. The Context of Women in Science
Achieving Gender Equality is a key development objective (SDG 5)
Underrepresentation by women in STI research in sub-Saharan Africa has a bearing on ;
• Type of research that is undertaken;
• The extent of impact on development;
Progress has been made, but more work is required to adequately incorporate gender (and other
forms of diversity) in research and policy
‘Leaky pipe’ phenomenon – loss of Women in Science along the professional growth path
Difficulty for early career researchers to launch their research career;
Greater transformation of societies can only be achieved through an inclusive approach, gender being a
key element;
3. Opportunity for Action
Roles of Councils
1. Disburse funds for human capital development;
2. Disburse funds for research;
3. Set, implement and monitor research agenda;
4. Advise governments on STI policies;
5. Support dissemination of research results;
6. Influence regional (ex- among the RECs) and global agenda (ex – GRC) for STI.
Greatest opportunity lies in the roles of Councils and the spaces where they interact.
SGCI aims at institutional and systemic changes – gender equity and other forms of
inclusion in critical in our work.
4. Aspiration
Close gender balance gap in research teams, and in decision-making;
Greater consideration of gender dimension in research and innovation;
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What are some of the deliberate efforts by Councils to
achieve gender equity? What have been the results? What
are the lessons and good practices? How can Councils
overcome any obstacles and keep the aspiration?
Editor's Notes
Achieving gender equality is a universal development goal recognised by all development actors. It is not possible to achieve development while leaving half of the population. If evidence-based research is at the centre of effective policy formulation, then seeking to achieve gender equity and equality is a core element of promoting inclusion;
There is generally underrepresentation of women in STI research, and research in general in Sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa, Namibia, Egypt and Mauritius could be doing much better, but in general more effort is required to attract and retain women in research. Deliberate efforts need to be made in order to increase the number of women in science, and even more important, retain those already there.
Councils have an excellent opportunity to increase participation by women in science through their roles of human capital development – how is selection made for beneficiaries; in how funds are disbursed – are potential barriers to women participation analysed and eliminated; Calls for proposal – how are women encouraged to apply, is there a deliberate requirement for gender analysis to be conducted as part of the research project? The Councils therefore have an opportunity in their practice and policy advise. Through it’s gender work, the SGCI seeks to support Councils to eliminate any systemic barriers that prevent women from participating actively.
The commitments made need to be well understood by stakeholders, and for this reason, the SGCI came up with a framework. The actions need to be captured and progress documented and measured - the SGCI developed an action plan and a monitoring plan to accompany the framework.
Our aspirations need to be ambitions – we should all strive to close the gender gap in research teams, and in decision-making, and we need to ensure that research projects integrate gender dimensions.
The Councils are already doing a lot of work around gender and inclusivity. The session is to learn from some of the efforts and suggest other practical approaches to expand gender equality work by the Councils.