Women and Science in the Southern African Development Region - Essay Example

Running Head: WOMEN AND SCIENCE Women and Science in the Southern African Development Region (SADC) and Section # of Abstract The work is based upon role of women in science, the trend that has followed and how its change. Then it discusses how UNESCO and SADC are working constantly to promote women of Southern African regions to get educated with scientific knowledge and play a role in scientific development like other women from developed countries. Women and Science in the southern African Development Region (SADC) Previously, it was very firm believe, especially in Asian countries, that women are inferior to men. They have to look after the daily chores while man is the sole earner and he is the one responsible for every major thing. As time evolved, the perception remained same with man now being an executive and women a secretary, or same in every field. The revolution and change of perception took place by the end of 18th century, when women started contributing in medicine, physics, geography and other fields and this period was referred as ‘the enlightment’. When Salon culture in Europe was changing, there were times when political, economical and social views discussed had opinions of women too (Sheffield, 2006) Even now that women graduates are more in number than male, the representation of women in business fields and especially scientific fields is very low. There are two reasons for such low representation. First, women already have too much to cater to that they can’t get into fields that need a lot of work and research. Secondly, even if they want to get in, they don’t get decent post. Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. She won the similar title, a second noble prize in 1911 for her work on radiation. For those women who don’t follow their passion and end up living the usual lifestyle, she says: “I have frequently been questioned, especially by women, of how I could reconcile family life with a scientific career. Well, it has not been easy. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.” While Carl Friedrich Gauss, famous for his Gaussian method and other mathematical applications, talks about women not getting reputable posts in scientific field and motivates them by saying: “The enchanting charms of this sublime science reveal only to those who have the courage to go deeply into it. But when a woman, who because of her sex and our prejudices encounters infinitely more obstacles that a man in familiarizing herself with complicated problems, succeeds nevertheless in surmounting these obstacles and penetrating the most obscure parts of them, without doubt she must have the noblest courage, quite extraordinary talents and superior genius.” (Ogilvie, 2004) Since 18th century, many women have followed their passion in developing and extending the scientific borders. 19th century was an amateur period with few noticeable names while 20th century included significant work by Marie Curie and Lise Meitner (discovery of nuclear fission). There work set basics for further research. Inclusion of women in scientific field was further made possible by efforts of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization) and by SADC (Southern African Development Community) which will be discussed below. (Marelene F. Rayner-Canham, 1997). UNESCOs Recommendations about "Women and Science" Although women have excelled in business fields, there still remain many where they are not given equal rights such as aerospace and flying, engineering and scientific research. Science is a field full of ideas and innovation and leaving this highly capable gender behind means losing high potential and ideas that can change the world. Therefore, gender equality and representation of women in scientific field is very important. Although different countries are giving attention to this issue, UNESCO formally organized the World Science Conference in 1999 to give attention to the under-represented women and to help them make a successful career by entering into the field. According to UNESCO, fields such as agriculture, gardening, animal breeding and forestry have been researched and developed by women. The development of these fields is a result of half the work that was done by women. UNESCO is working to form worldwide gender equality, especially in regions where a women’s talent is being neglected and needs to get recognized in order for science and other fields to reach full potential. They have developed a strategy that was implemented in 2008 and is a 5 year plan till 2013 to elevate gender inequality. There are two main purposes of the program. 1) Gender mainstreaming and 2) Women’s empowerment. Gender mainstreaming refers to recognizing both women and men in all the fields and giving equal rights while hiring them. On the other hand, Women’s Empowerment specifically refers to women who are succeeding in their respecting fields should not be held back or discouraged because they are women but they should be represented and promoted for their achievements in the organizations. (www.unesco.org) The European council or we can say the Parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe are trying to increase the number of women in scientific fields. They have shown the significance of women scientists in there Feb 1999 assembly report. On the other hand, UNESCO has joined hands with L’oreal where each year, they distribute awards among women to motivate them to move further. These awards are not just for one region but awards in 2007 scientists were given to top 5 women scientists, one from every continent while in 2009, 15 awards were distributed to women for their performance in life sciences (Clair, 2007). SADC Strategies and policies regarding "women and science" in the region SADC stands for Southern African Development Community which started with an aim of liberating Southern Africa politically. 15 countries are its member that is Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It exists to improve the standard of people living in South Africa by promoting development, infrastructure, industrialization, education and minority rights in its member countries. Its aim is to bring economic well-being of Southern Africa by sharing same vision and uniting all. Currently, we will be focusing upon SADC’s vision for Gender Equality and development and their division for scientific development (www.sadc.int, 2010). Introduction In southern African regions, women are mostly into farming and contribute into the household income. Research conducted by UN showed that these educational programs in Southern African countries have resulted in decline of infant mortality rate and poverty has reduced. The most important thing to be observed is the percent change in population and that in teachers assigned to grade one. As shown below, population change in Lesotho, Madagascar and Zambia is 0.34%, 11.73% and 7.15% but teacher assigned in numbers have increased by 17.96%, 50.59% and 41.22% respectively. For statistics related to infant mortality, poverty and growth, we can refer to the African Statistical yearbook 2006 published by UN (www.uneca.org, 2006). Countries Population Teaching Staff at 1st Level 2000 2004 % change 1999 2004 % change               Botswana 1755 1762 0.40 11950 12717 6.42 Lesotho 1785 1791 0.34 8225 9702 17.96 Madagascar 16195 18095 11.73 42678 64270 50.59 Mauritius 1186 1231 3.79 5107 5741 12.41 Mozambique 17910 19399 8.31 37440 54721 46.16 Namibia 1895 2001 5.59 12062 14000 16.07 Tanzania 34762 37582 8.11 104006 121548 16.87 Zambia 10702 11467 7.15 32866 46414 41.22 They have limited access to modern technology, health facilities and rights that should be given irrespective of gender. Therefore, SADC organizes such programs and makes such strategies that can bring out few inspirational women from the region (www.africa-union.org, 2007). Overall Goal To promote gender equality by giving equal opportunity to both genders through the economic policies of the country, and to promote education and progress of women. Strategies SADC’s strategies include developing gender policies that promote equality and to finish differences at regional levels. They want to bring gender equality in to national laws and constitution and form proper enforcement techniques (www.sadc.int, 2010). SADC will gather the most updated data and will disseminate funds accordingly while fighting against violence at the same time and making life better for people of South African Region. Achievements The SADC member countries met from 22-26 September of 2008 to review their scientific progress and their capabilities being in line with the rest of the world. This meeting also reviewed innovative schemes that should take place and how the member countries can excel in scientific fields with SADC and UNESCO support. The meeting also held training workshops and discussed current issues and challenges for Southern African countries. So far, only scientific development in general is being discussed for these countries. As the program will move forward and contribution by member countries will be more serious, this program will surely look into the women representatives and their promotion. This will lead to more women coming into scientific and modern fields contributing heavily and SADC and UNESCO have been constantly trying to achieve this purpose slowly but successfully (www.unesco.org, 2008). Conclusion Worldwide, women have come forward with new ideas, innovative designs and scientific progress. They have won noble prizes, they have represented their countries and they have given avenues for further research. The largest number of women resides in South African countries and SADC is trying to achieve a long term goal by making these women come forward and realize their full potential. The literacy and health awareness statistics show that campaigns have really affected people of this region and as SADC and UNESCO will keep working, more women will grab the platform and connect themselves to scientific knowledge, and then to scientific development (www.africa-union.org, 2007). REFERENCES Books Marelene F. Rayner-Canham, G. R.-C. (1997). A Devotion to Their Science. In G. R.-C. Marelene F. Rayner-Canham, A Devotion to Their Science. McGill-Queens University Press. Ogilvie, M. B. (2004). Marie Curie: A Biography. In M. B. Ogilvie, Marie Curie: A Biography. Greenwood Biographies. Sheffield, S. (2006). Women and Science. In S. Sheffield, Women and Science. Rutgers University Press. Online Journal www.africa-union.org. (2007, 8 31). Retrieved March 28, 2011, from Outcome of The Conference of African Women in Science and Technology: http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/conferences/2007/november/hrst/amcost/docs/pdf/AU-EXP-ST-10_III_-ENG-Outcome%20Conference%20of%20Women%20in%20ST%20AU.pdf Websites www.sadc.int. (2010). Retrieved March 28, 2011, from Years of Progress, 1980 - 2010: http://www.sadc.int/ Clair, R. (2007, 11). www.portal.unesco.org. Retrieved March 28, 2011, from Women and Science: http://portal.unesco.org/science/en/ev.php- URL_ID=3597&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html www.unesco.org. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2011, from Gender and Science: Women, agents of change: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/priority-areas/gender-and-science/ www.unesco.org. (2008). Retrieved March 28, 2011, from Science Policy for Sustainable Development: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/science-technology/sti-policy/african-sti-policy/southern-african-development-community-sadc/ www.uneca.org. (2006). Retrieved April 3, 2011, from ECA Statistical Database: http://www.uneca.org/eca_programmes/policy_analysis/statistics/statdb.htm www.sadc.int. (2010). Retrieved April 3, 2011, from Declaration on Gender and Development: http://www.sadc.int/index/browse/page/174 Read More