Impact of GenderInSITE

Diab, Roseanne

Impact of GenderInSITE

Files

GISimpact.pdf (2.57 MB)

Date

2020

Authors

Diab, Roseanne

Publisher

Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD); The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)

Sponsorship

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)

Abstract

The impact of GIS is inextricably linked to the reputation and credibility of its host organizations and of the people in leadership positions within GIS. At best this is a symbiotic relationship that is a win-win situation for all. Over and above the obvious benefit that GIS reaps from the established infrastructure of each of the host organizations, there are additional benefits. For example, The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) as the host of GIS in Trieste, demonstrates its commitment to gender equality through its support for and commitment to GIS. Similarly, GIS leverages off the TWAS reputation, as well as the TWAS network and sphere of influence to expand the reach of its work beyond that of its regional focal points in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and in Africa. The LAC regional focal point, located in FLACSO, the Latin American University of Postgraduate Studies, benefits from FLASCO’s network across 16 Latin American countries, which facilitates collaboration with universities and research councils. The co-location of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Regional Chair of Women in S&T, with its focus on research and training in the field of gender and education is an added advantage. The value proposition of GIS LAC is the promotion of the integration of a gender lens perspective to higher education within a sustainable development framework. The Africa regional focal point, hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), benefits from ASSAf’s credibility as a science academy and the networks that it has established across the continent, including with academia and government. The value proposition of GIS is to bring into sharper focus the importance of gender considerations in Academy membership, activities and products. In this report, the impact of GIS will be considered under four headings: 1. Development of strategies/policies 2. Contribution to knowledge production 3. Contribution to capacity development 4. Building a reputation