GenderInSITE Information

Gender in science, innovation, technology and engineering (SITE) is an international campaign to promote the role of women in science, innovation, technology and engineering (SITE), and to demonstrate how applying a gender lens to SITE-for-development can provide deeper insights, more effective programmes and more sustainable outcomes. Innovation is critical to countries’ ability to adapt to changing circumstances and contribute to the global knowledge bank. Yet, in many countries only half of the best ideas are heard – or even voiced. Worldwide, women are poorly represented at decision-making and management levels in the SITE sector. Moreoever, studies over the last 20 years show that women and men are actually affected differently when SITE is applied to development. Applying a gender lens to SITE-for-development policies – taking into account the vision, concerns and abilities of both women and men – makes them more effective. GenderInSITE's mission is to inspire transformative actions and more effective development by understanding the impacts of SITE on women and men and how women and men can contribute to STI. It is building partnerships to encourage collaboration at the global and regional levels to identify, understand, and develop strategies to apply the gender lens to SITE for development in six key areas: agriculture and food security; water and sanitation; energy; transportation; climate change and disaster & risk reduction; and science education & the workforce. By working with networks of researchers and policy-makers, it is mapping the nuances of local development challenges – and addressing them through information dissemination, tools and resources and awareness-raising activities. Currently GenderInSITE also has regional focal points in Argentina, Kenya and South Africa.