Hayfaa Almudhaf

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The 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

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Kuwait
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.
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Kuwait 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

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Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research-KISR
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Kuwait University
Education
High School Graduates2005/2006
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Jun 17th 2004
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Women 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.

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Carriers
19 out of 400 leadership positions Occupied by
women.
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What 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

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• Presentations
• Panel Discussions
• Dialogues
• Workshops
• Documentaries

• 50 Speakers
• 18 Sessions

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• 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

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Main 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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Future 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.

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Future 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.

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Points to consider

• Are networks doing it?
• Role of NGOs
• Master Plan
• International Organizations

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