Gender, science and technology
Paris, France, 28 September-1 October 2010
Introduction
In accordance with its multi-year programme of work for 2010-2014, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will consider ‘Access and participation of women and girls to education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work’ as its priority theme during its fifty-fifth session in 2011.
In order to contribute to a fuller understanding of the issue and to assist the Commission in its deliberations, the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW, now part of UN Women) in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) convened an expert group meeting (EGM) on ‘Gender, science and technology’ from 28 September to 1 October 2010 in Paris, France.
The EGM explored the gender dimensions of science and technology, and identified policies and programmes that can accelerate progress towards the internationally agreed development goals, including the MDGs. It examined strategies for:
• Increasing women’s access to and use of technology, including more gender-responsive products
• Increasing women’s access to and participation in science and technology education and training
• Eliminating barriers to women’s participation in science and technology employment
The EGM provided input for:
• the report of the Secretary-General to the Commission (E/CN.6/2011/3,
ACEFRS)
• the outcome of the Commission, the agreed conclusions (ACEFRS) - a set of policy recommendations to be implemented by all stakeholders
