Title: Hayfaa Almudhaf
1The Rise and Fall of Women in Engineering and
Technology The Case of Kuwait and the GCC
Countries
International Colloquium June 6 8, 2007 Tunis,
Tunisia
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
- Hayfaa Almudhaf
- Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
2Kuwait
GDP (ppp) 44.77 billionGDP (ppp) per CAPITA
19,200 GDP (ppp) GROWTH 4.8 Area 17,820
sq km Population 2,418,393 Life Expectancy
77.2 years
1962 The first Constitution of Kuwait was
issued. 1962 The first Society, Kuwait Society
of Engineers was established. 1962 The first
women society, was established.
3Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research-KISR
- KISR was established in 1967
- KISR is a public institute having an independent
identity supervised by a minister assigned by the
Ministerial Council and managed by a Director
General - KISR is managed by a Board of Trustees chaired by
the assigned Minister and consisting of key
decision making representatives. - Total work force 1000
- KISR Budget, Current budget between KD 22-25
million ( 76-87 million) - Government annual support (75 of total budget)
- Income from clients 25 of total budget
4Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research-KISR
5Kuwait University
Education
High School Graduates2005/2006
6Jun 17th 2004
7Women in Kuwait
- In a climate of gradual political and social
change, Kuwait recently weathered a
gender-sensitive society and became the fourth
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member country to
grant women the right to vote and stand for
public office, following similar moves by
Bahrain, Oman and Qatar. Four of the six GCC
countries, excluding Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have
appointed women as Cabinet ministers and some of
them have selected women as members of various
representative bodies. - While these measures help dilute the
"conservative" image of GCC societies and lend
relief as well as confidence to those championing
women's rights, it is important to look at the
road ahead. Will the process of meaningfully
transforming the selection of women to the
ability to elect them to public office be easy or
long-winding, and what are the factors that will
aid or hinder this cause? - Gulf women are increasingly working alongside men
in banks, universities and public offices, but
age-old traditions and preconceptions about the
role of women still hold sway. Women are still
socially and religiously restrained in the
region. For example, if a household wants to get
any government work done, the woman usually turns
to a male relative. In many cases, for example in
Kuwait, the leadership may be progressive, but
the society lags behind.
8Carriers
19 out of 400 leadership positions Occupied by
women.
9What are the others doing?
- Networks
- Develop networking materials
- Develop user-friendly networking website
- Make mentoring resources available
- Events
- Conferences workshops
- Mentoring, (e-mentoring)
- Politically Active
10- Presentations
- Panel Discussions
- Dialogues
- Workshops
- Documentaries
11- Global Trends
- Regional Trends
- Globalization of the Science Enterprise
- Breaking Barriers
- Health Research Dialogue
- Career Path Options
- Building a Science Partnership Network
- Innovative STE Partnership
- Women in IT Dialogue
- Women Leadership
- Giving Back to Society
- Education and Mentoring Tools
- Bringing Science to Market
- Professional Development for Women
- The Role of Academia in Women Career Development
- Engineers Forum
- Concepts Proposal Writing
- Funding Marketing
- Publishing
12Main Objectives
- To build on already existing networks
- Regional Networks
- Arab Network for Women in Science (ANWAS).
- Third World Organization for Women in Science.
- Network for Women Trainers in Science and
Biotechnology in the Mediterranean Area (TWOWS). - Qatar-based Arab Immigrant Scientists Network.
- Global Networks
-
- To develop womens capacity to serve as
- Leaders
- Innovators
- Mentors to young girls
- To pave the road for future generations of young
women to excel in science.
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22Future Outlook
- Develop linkages utilizing existing networks and
mechanisms and also incorporating the successful
experiences of established regional and
international bodies. Develop womens capacities
to serve as leaders, innovators and mentors in
science, engineering and technology and encourage
young women to develop to their full potential. - Pursue collaboration among individuals and
institutions regionally as well as globally and
promote team efforts among women working in
science, technology and engineering. - Define and promote priorities for research into
what is needed for womens professional
development, particularly in science, technology
and engineering. - Identify forward-looking scientific research
opportunities that will drive new partnerships
among the university communities, institutes,
industries, agencies and governments. - Establish mechanisms to promote opportunities for
professional enhancement of women working in
science, technology and engineering.
23Future Outlook
To achieve these goals
- support is required from governments and
institutions, as well as from the women
themselves who are working in science, technology
and engineering.
24Points to consider
- Are networks doing it?
- Role of NGOs
- Master Plan
- International Organizations
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