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Update your browserIn spirit of reconciliation, the WREN acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
As the WREN is partnered with Australian and Brazilian universities, we also pay respects to the Indigenous people of Brazil, who are the first knowledge holders of its land.
Equality and equity. These two words have appeared in just about everything. In the news, in classrooms, in meeting rooms, on all levels of government, sports, the list goes on. They may sound similar, but they are as distinct in their own definition and practical use as dessert and desert are.
It is the equal valuing by society of both the similarities and the differences between women and men, and the different roles they play. It is based on women and men being full partners in their home, community, and society [1, 2].
Gender equity is the process of being fair to both women and men. It is targeted measures often put in place to compensate for historical, social, and systemic discrimination that prevent women and men from otherwise being equals. Equity is a means that leads to equality [1, 2].
Although women these days can receive an education and be employed, women continue to face biases and barriers. The system in place has led to a leaky pipeline in which fewer women continue to remain in a professional role and seek promotions in their workforce. Women consider leaving the STEM workforce due to a lack of job opportunities, job security, opportunities for career advancement, collaborations, and family responsibilities [3].
By putting the focus on gender equity first, organisations and society can implement affirmative actions that allow both women and men to access the same opportunities proportionally. By bringing men into the conversation, it creates awareness and open discussions. By supporting women especially in their early-mid career stage, women can gain confidence and feel they do not have to overwork to prove their worth. And by women giving each other a helping hand, we can form our own collaborative work opportunities and write the future we want. Over time, such measures to address the retention and progression of women in the STEM workforce will not be necessary as gender equality will be achieved.
[1] “UNESCO Priority Gender Equality Action Plan 2014-2021,” United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2019.
[2] “UNESCO’s Gender Mainstreaming Implementation Framework (GMIF) for 2002-2007,” United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2003.
[3] “Impact of COVID-19 on Women in the STEM Workforce | Asia-Pacific,” Australian Academy of Science, 2021.
Image: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/gender-equality-equity-madhvi-sookha-dreepaul/
Be part of a network where you can connect with others around the world, look for the right opportunities, celebrate women’s achievements in engineering, and work towards a gender-equal global community.
We are always looking for new partners and volunteers to chase the shared vision of a gender-equal engineering research community. If you want to support women researchers in engineering and are keen to be part of a women-led team, reach out to us!
