Welcome address by the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor MP, at the Women in Science Awards Gala Dinner, Sandton
Ms Leanne Manas, Programme Director,Mr Thami Mbele, Managing Director, TATA,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Dr Bevan Goqwana, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology,
Representatives of the sponsors of the WISA,
Vice-Chancellors of universities and their representatives,
Board members and the CEOs of the Science Councils,
Distinguished guests, and
Ladies and gentlemen
Good evening and a warm welcome to you all.
The year 2015 marks the target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In recognition of the MDGs and the theme for the 2015 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), the theme for the 2015 awards is aptly “Science for a sustainable future”.
The Women in Science Awards (WISA) was founded in 2003 as an intervention to reward and recognise women in the sciences. We have made progress. Yet there is a persistent gender imbalance that we must address. We have a gender balance in favour of women at university but a research balance in favour of men. We have a gender balance in favour of women in higher education, but women lag behind in taking up science careers, lag behind in going on to undertake PhDs.
In Science and Technology, we run a number of incentive programmes to address the gender imbalance. Our Thuthuka programme has 3 fast tracks for young researchers: PhD, Post-PhD and Rating. It has equity targets of 80% black and 60% female grant holders. Since 2008, the Thuthuka programme has provided research grants to 4,713 emerging researchers. Our Centres of Excellence have multiple objectives including building research excellence focusing on programmes and issues of national strategic importance. Regrettably out of a total of 16 centres, only one is led by a woman. It appears we do not all share a commitment to gender equality in this sector.
The South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) targets the development of postgraduate students and emerging researchers. At the centre of this incentive programme is redress and equity. In 2015 there were 157 research chairs and, while half the doctoral students were men and half were women, only one in five SARChI professors is a woman. Our latest call for 20 chairs is for women only. We are looking forward to the announcement of the chair holders.
The Women in Science Awards is always a special event. It is a celebration of the achievements of women in science, and it is a reminder that we will not realise the full scientific potential of our country until all our young scientists are able to enjoy access to the best facilities and education.
The Women in Science Awards is not only a special event. It also makes a more subtle contribution. It allows young women to dream of a life in science. Far too many girls are told or are allowed to assume that their dreams are irrelevant.
The awards alternate between Life Sciences in one year and Physical and Engineering Sciences in another year. This year’s awards are in the Life Sciences. The Social Sciences and Humanities and indigenous knowledge awards are made each year.
I congratulate all the nominees and the awardees.
The finalists and winners will be invited to participate in science awareness campaigns led by the Department to serve as role models for other women, particularly young girls.
I wish to thank Dr Tong for agreeing to be our guest speaker and I look forward to hearing her remarks.
Once more, welcome to you all and do enjoy this evening.
I thank you.
