Minister Naledi Pandor: Next Einstein Forum

In the last decadeinvestment in R&D has been ramped up in Africa.The recent 2015 UNESCO science report confirms this.

 

Yet womenare still under-represented in the fields of science and technology.Women are still under-represented in top research managerial positions.Women are still under-represented in science, technology, and innovation policymaking.

 

The challenge for Africais to ensure that the gender imbalance in the practice of science, technology and innovation activities is addressed.None of us here underestimates the importance of science, technology, and innovation for socio-economic development in both the developed and developing world. The involvement of women in STI activities is critical in contributing to the development of nations.

 

Last week a report about women in science academies confirmed the fact that women are under-represented in science.

 

It was the first comprehensive survey of science academies and their members. It found the average share of women members across 69 national science academies to be 12%.

 

National academies with the largest shares of women members are the Cuban Academy of Sciences (27%) and the Caribbean Academy of Sciences (26%). The national science academies of Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Uruguay and Honduras are among the list of the top 10 academies with the largest shares of women members.

 

The proportion of women in science academies is an indication of how under-represented women are in the science sector as a whole.

 

In South Africa there are a number of initiatives to promote women in STEM.

 

The Thuthukaprogramme has3 fast tracks for women academics: PhD, Post-PhD and Rating, and has been in existence since 2001.

 

The Centres of Excellence have multiple objectives including building research excellence focusing on programmes and issues of national strategic importance. Regrettably outof a total of 16centres, only one is led by a woman.

 

The South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) targetsthe development of postgraduate students and emerging researchers. At the centre of thisincentive programme is redress and equity. While halfthe doctoral students are men and half are women, onlyone in five SARChIprofessors is a woman. Or rather I should say only one in five was a woman until last year.

 

Last year we established 42 new SARCHi research professors, and directed that all must be filled for women.

 

The SARCHi 42 was a radical transformation, shaping policy and programmes. The number of women are small - under a 100 out of 534 female professors are research professors. But that is a larger proportion than the 100 and more out of 1,640 male professors (2,174 total in 2012).

 

The reasons for this are difficult to identify. According to women scientists, science lags behind other sectors in adopting progressive practices that would address the inequality identified by many studies.

 

Institutions need to recognise women achievers in science and technology. Mentorship should be a formal part of research support and greater attention to equity in science awards, conference nomination, research awards, and internships must be addressed.

 

Such interventions help in creating an enabling environment for the progression of girls and women in the science, technology and innovation sector.

 

At present, onlyone in three published scientists is a woman, and she is younger and less qualified than her male colleagues.

 

Our governments must respond proactively to gender discrimination in STEM and work closely with women, scientists and technologists to fully understand the barriers and impediments and respond to them. There are talented women in science who are doing excellent work. We must ensure they are encouraged and supported to play a full role in STEM.