Women in Science: A View From the IAI Executive Directorate
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This February 11 is celebrated, as every year, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day declared by the UN General Assembly in its resolution of December 22, 2015. It is a day of recognition of the work and importance of the inclusion of women and girls in these fields of study, as well as a day to promote equal access and participation in the discipline.
Women and girls face different barriers and gaps that hinder or prevent them from participating in science, and hinder the construction of a more equitable society, as well as make their contributions and needs invisible. Some of these are inequality in leadership positions, both institutional and in research; low representation, which is the effect of structural gender inequalities and social barriers, such as gender stereotypes and roles; job instability and difficulty in reconciling work and family life; and lack of recognition and role models.
To achieve greater gender equity in the world, which is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is necessary to raise awareness and fight together for women's access to science, but also because their contribution opens space for other perspectives and approaches, as well as on the needs and interests of women that deserve to be studied. Therefore, the IAI Directorate has decided to highlight women who support the development of science at the institute and have overcome these difficulties, contributing today to the knowledge and solution of different problems, with a view to achieving a better and more sustainable society.
First, it is essential to highlight IAI's Executive Director, Anna Stewart-Ibarra, with a PhD in Ecology from the State University of New York, who is an expert on climate and health and a noted researcher on climate and health services. We would also like to highlight Irene Torres, Strategic Advisor to the institute and a researcher in health policy and health systems and services. She holds a PhD in Health Promotion from Aarhus University and is a member of different advisory committees working in this area.
Kim Portmess, STeP Program Leader, in charge of transdisciplinary leadership training for early career researchers should also be celebrated. She is completing a master's degree in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Governance. Another important collaborator is the Institute's Deputy Executive Director and Director of Capacity Development, Marcella Ohira. She has a background in technical cooperation and support to international organizations, and innovation in the science-policy nexus from science diplomacy.
Equally important is the work of the STeP Fellows working in the IAI Executive Directorate, María Schmukler, Laila Sandroni, María Inés Carabajal and Anne-Teresa Birthwright, all of whom have graduate degrees related to global change challenges and an interest in transdisciplinary research. They contribute from their areas of expertise to different projects and programs and perform the vital work of bringing their experiences and perspectives to the actions for sustainable development and mitigation of global climate change supported and carried out by the institute.
Finally, it is crucial to highlight the work of our Belmont Forum (BF) partners, Nicole Arbour, Executive Director of the BF and Fany Ramos, STeP Fellow based at the BF. Arbour holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Ottawa and is currently working towards scientifically informed public policy and communication. Ramos has an MSc in Environmental Change and International Development from the University of Sheffield; she has developed projects that combine environmental action and climate education and research on multiple environmental issues in a transdisciplinary manner.
All of these women are role models for future generations of women in science, and this day is to uplift them and to continue to raise awareness of their role in scientific development.