UNESCO and Canada have begun a new partnership aiming to empower early career-women scientists to become leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields and role-models for the next generation of female scientists. In this framework, Canada’s International Development Research Centre will provide 7,500,000 CAD to the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) over five years, thus joining Sweden as a major donor of OWSD.
OWSD was founded in 1987 and is the first international forum to unite eminent women scientists from the developing and developed worlds, to strengthen their role in the development process and promote their representation in scientific and technological leadership. It provides research training, career development and networking opportunities for women scientists throughout the developing world at different stages in their careers. The network counts with nearly 6,000 members, 90% of which are women living and working in developing countries. Each member has the potential to contribute significantly to the technological advancement and economic growth of their countries. OWSD is hosted by The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS), a UNESCO Programme based in Trieste, Italy.
The Canadian funds will serve to increase women's participation, leadership and influence in science, technology and innovation in Low and Middle Income Countries through fellowships and travel grants. They will also serve to tackle gender issues in STEM and engineering through workshops and trainings, and to support the OWSD – Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World.
The Awards reward and encourage women working and living in developing countries in the early stages of their scientific careers. Awardees must have made a demonstrable impact on the research environment both at a regional and international level and have often overcome great challenges to achieve research excellence. The award has an important impact on local research cultures. Previous winners say the awards have had a powerful effect, enhancing the visibility of their past work and creating new opportunities for the future.
This new partnership enables OWSD to broaden its scope of action substantially.
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