[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Ms. Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Assistant Director General of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵESCO,<\/p>\n
Ms. Noeline Raondry Rakotoarisoa, Director, Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences a.i.<\/p>\n
Excellencies,<\/p>\n
Dear friends,<\/p>\n
It is a pleasure to join you today and to have the opportunity to discuss an issue very dear to my heart: women and girls in science.<\/p>\n
By now, every corner of the world has felt the devastating impact of the pandemic, and women and girls in science are on the front lines of response. They are healthcare workers and innovators. They are researching vaccines and pioneering treatments. They are leading us toward a safer world, and inspiring the next generation of girls to be forces of good in science and tech.<\/p>\n
Over the last few months, I have actually had a few opportunities to engage on the topic of women and girls in science. At COP26 I met with a group of women scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. And, more recently, I held an interview on my podcast series with Dr. Roberta Bondar, a Canadian former astronaut and neurologist.<\/p>\n
During both exchanges I heard firsthand about the very personal struggles that so many women and girls go through in the field of science. The struggles many continue<\/em> to go through.<\/p>\n My main takeaway from these conversations, and one which I wholeheartedly support, is that women and girls should always feel that becoming a scientist is possible. That whatever <\/em>they would like to do is possible.<\/p>\n Women and girls should never feel that particular fields of work or study are off limits to them. I am of the view that women advocating for women is powerful and is essential for all disciplines, especially those that remain male-dominated.<\/p>\n As Dr. Bondar said when I asked her about advice to policymakers, and I quote: \u201cwe must back up curiosity with support.\u201d<\/p>\n Too often our systems, our misconceptions, even those we may not be aware of, trample on the seeds of curiosity in our young people. Seeds that could one day turn into astronauts, or climate scientists. We should never stand in the way of curiosity, we must always be supportive.<\/p>\n No obstacles, just steppingstones.<\/p>\n This is particularly the case in developing countries, particularly LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS, where the challenges are even more pronounced, and often structural \u2013 requiring targeted interventions.<\/p>\n When you consider that many developing countries stand at the frontlines of climate change, facing drought, floods, and the threat of sea-level rise, you have to ask: do we not need MORE scientists, NOT fewer?<\/p>\n Clearly, we must do more to equip everyone with the will and the capacity to support. This is not only the right thing to do, but also the smart thing to do.<\/p>\n Yet, so many of the greatest minds are out there \u2013 untapped. Let us not squander their potential. Let us empower and elevate.<\/p>\n Dear friends,<\/p>\n I am aware that recruiting women is not enough. We need to back this up with the right policies and the right approach.<\/p>\n I recall that during my recent meeting with the Circle of Women Ambassadors in New York, it was highlighted that we need the Triple A\u2019s, Analysis, Alliances, and Action<\/em>.<\/p>\n My friends, I consider you as part of my alliance and as an inspiration to all of my actions.<\/p>\n On that note, it is important to hear from you, as scientists, what could be done.<\/p>\n Please, be candid, we are listening.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Opening Remarks at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵESCO and PGA Joint Event: The Future of Climate Science is Female: Empowering Women and Girls in Science<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":353,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Excellencies, colleagues,<\/p> I welcome you all to our second meeting and our first interaction following the resumed part of the session.<\/p> Before I begin, I would like to recognize the loss of our dear friend and esteemed colleague, Ms. Gail Farngalo.<\/p> A Liberian national, Gail was my Team Leader for Human Rights and was active on gender during both the 75th<\/sup> and 76th<\/sup> sessions. She leaves behind a legacy of achievements and a groundswell of respect and affection from across the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and diplomatic communities. Her presence is certainly felt here today.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> When I took on this Presidency of Hope, I pledged to make gender equality a priority area for the 76th<\/sup> session. I continue to look to the board for its wisdom and expertise, as I endeavour to fulfil that pledge.<\/p> In this regard, I have already benefited from the board\u2019s advice, from when we met on October 28th<\/sup> last year.<\/p> Acting on that advice, I committed to ensuring that all my five rays of hope, and all my major initiatives, are approached with a gender lens.<\/p> I made sure that the composition of my office is gender-balanced.<\/p> I have committed to participating only in panels that have equal gender representation.<\/p> Throughout my official interactions and travels, I have endeavoured to meet with women, including heads of states and governments, scientists, civil society representatives, and youth.<\/p> And I am proud to inform you that five young women have been recruited into the Fellowship for HOPE<\/em> that my office recently launched. The Fellowship as you are well aware is targeted at benefiting young diplomats from underrepresented countries, pursuing careers in diplomacy or public service.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> While recognizing that we have a long way to go in the battle for gender-equality, I am proud of what my team has been able to accomplish within the past few months.<\/p> Our work continues.<\/p> We will continue to raise our voices on issues disproportionately impacting women, such as domestic violence and work place harassment. We will continue to push the importance of gender-equal work spaces.<\/p> And we will continue to find new paths to empower young women with ambitious professional aspirations.<\/p> Now is not the time to rest on our laurels.<\/p> With the board\u2019s guidance and support, we must use the many opportunities over the coming months to further empower women and girls, and dismantle discriminatory practices against them.<\/p> There are several upcoming events that will provide us such opportunities. I look forward to the board\u2019s suggestions on how we can best utilize them.<\/p> As an example, the International Day of Women and Girls in science is fast approaching. We must recognize that women\u2019s contributions in science and technology have helped us cure diseases; discover new horizons in space; and develop technologies that have vastly improved our quality of life.<\/p> As we celebrate their achievements, we must also open pathways for young girls who aspire to follow in the footsteps of pioneers in science and technology.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Let us also reflect that the theme chosen by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for this year is on \u201cachieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes\u201d.<\/p> As we strive to meet our obligations to the planet, let us recognize the important work done by women and girls at the forefront of the climate crisis, and whose humanitarian work in disaster-stricken areas has helped save lives and rebuild communities. We owe it to them to not only celebrate their work but to support them.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> Our programme of work for the months ahead has been circulated to members prior to the meeting, for consideration and feedback. Please note that the events we have planned are not exhaustive. I welcome further suggestions from the board on the content and format of future events and activities.<\/p> Colleagues,<\/p> We have made much progress within a short while. And with the board\u2019s support and guidance, I am sure that we can keep up this strong momentum.<\/p> I look forward to working alongside all of you to achieve our vision of a gender-equal world.<\/p> Thank you.<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[550,505,556,692,553],"committee-meeting":[],"class_list":["post-258566","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","tag-ga","tag-gender","tag-pga","tag-science","tag-shahid","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n