BRIEFING TO JOINT MONITORING COMMITTEE ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE AND STATUS OF WOMEN (JMCIQLSW)
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) in recognizing the need to mainstream gender has firmly entrenched this concept within the National Research and Development Strategy that was approved by Cabinet in 2002.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has two major objectives in achieving gender equity. The first objective is to unlock the potential of South African Women to develop into distinguished scientists and thus stimulate women’s interest and entry into traditionally male dominated areas of science. An increase in the number of women scientists would thus allow women to make a meaningful contribution to economic growth and an improvement in the quality of life of the general population and, women in particular.
The second objective is to mainstream gender into all research agendas to ensure that women are viewed as potential end-users and / or beneficiaries with a resultant improvement in the quality of their lives and thus their communities.
It is within this setting that the Science, Gender and Disability was established in November 2002 following the creation of the Department of Science and Technology by the President in September 2002.
The Unit is responsible for Gender Mainstreaming of line function programme delivery within the Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) sector i.e. external focus only.
The unit focuses on achieving Gender Mainstreaming in two ways viz. :
An engendered human resource development plan is crucial to the achievement of an improved quality of life and wealth creation for women. It is critical for all aspects of the life cycle of women to be interrogated to address the following issues: -
The principle objective of establishing engendered research agendas is to improve the quality of life of women (QOL) and to enable women to be involved in wealth creation.
The 3 major areas in which the quality of life can be improved are through:
Improvement in the quality of life of women can also be achieved by having women intricately involved in power structures and decision-making. Unfortunately, this can only be achieved by women taking an active part in the economy and in wealth generation. Science and Technology can contribute to this process by: -
Dr Asmall was appointed as Director: Equity programmes in April 2002 within the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. Since November 2002 when the Department of Science and Technology was established, Dr Asmall’s position is Manager: Science, Gender and Disability.
The unit comprises of the Director, 2 Deputy Directors and 1 Secretary. The 2 Deputy-Directors have been in office since June 2003 and August 2003 respectively.
The Gender Focal Point reports to the General Manager (Chief Director) Human Capital and Science Missions within the Programme: Science and Technology for Competitiveness.
The Science, Gender and Disability Unit is responsible for Gender Equity Mainstreaming of line function programme delivery within the Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) sector, i.e. external focus only.
The unit focuses on achieving gender mainstreaming in two ways:
A Special Programmes Officer at Deputy Director level within Human Resource Management Section is responsible for ensuring gender equity in terms of employment practices, training and development of Department of Science and Technology employees. Also responsible for organising commemorative events, e.g the 9th of August, Women’s Day and the 16 Days of Activism Campaign.
The Internal Gender Focal Point reports to the General Manager (Chief Director) Human Resource Management that reports directly to the Director General.
The Research and Development Strategy of the Department of Science and Technology articulates a clear position on the empowerment of women and a need for their meaningful participation and contribution in the development of Research and Development in South Africa. Wide consultation with key stakeholders at various forums determined that the vehicle to achieve Gender Mainstreaming is through the appointment of a South African Reference Group on Women in Science and Technology (SARG).
The SARG has been convened as a permanent sub-committee of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) for it to have meaningful impact on Science and Technology Policy in South Africa. The Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology has a special oversight function over the SARG.
The following key objectives have been set for the SARG.
The South African Reference Group (SARG) consists of an international group and a South African component. Members of SARG were selected in their personal capacities for their collective experiences, expertise and commitment. They do not represent the institution at which they are currently employed. The members of the SARG are appointed for a period of three years.
The first meeting of the South African Reference Group on Women in Science and Technology (SARG) was held on 7 March 2003 in Cape Town. Two more business meetings were held, in June and September 2003. During the September meeting the Strategic Plan and resultant Action Plans for the period 2003 - 2005 were finalized.
During 2002 the Science, Gender and Disability Unit of the Department of Science and Technology undertook an audit that sought to uncover how the various Science Councils have responded to the challenge of addressing equity issues within their respective organizations. This baseline audit of the Science Councils was to provide basic data on the availability of resources and the progress attained in some areas towards transformation. The study has been set within the framework of corporate governance as per the King II Report which has a wider social implication than just good financial governance.
The results of the audit clearly indicated that it is necessary to engage in conversation with the Science Councils on how to address the equity issues. A workshop was planned for the 2003/2004 financial year.
A workshop was held on 9 and 10 April 2003 with the Human Resource Executives of the Science Councils, or their representatives mandated to commit their Science Council to a way forward. The main objectives of the workshop were
Although the focus of this workshop was gender and disability equity, and the management of HIV/AIDS, this should not detract from the overall objectives of racial balance and reporting in human resources and transformation.
The results of the workshop can be summarised as follows:
Specific factors were identified that require urgent attention in order to achieve gender and disability equity within the SET sector. One of the main issues identified was the lack of full commitment to achieving gender and disability equity from the National level down to the individual Science Councils. Such commitment can be demonstrated by the allocation of adequate resources reflecting gender and disability equity as priorities, and by addressing the lack of understanding of the true impact of HIV/AIDS in the SET sector.
The South African Department of Science and Technology has created recognition awards to celebrate "Women in Science" as a direct response to the vision encapsulated in the National Research and Development Strategy of ultimate improvement in the quality of life of all South Africans.
The role of women in the development and sharing of knowledge that contributes to improvement in people’s economic status and quality of life has been limited. In addition, the contribution of outstanding women in scientific research has not been fully recognised. This lack of recognition has resulted in inequity of access by women to the research professions.
The further lack of prominent women scientists as role models has hampered both the public understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology and the participation of women at all levels of science.
This award is made to a female scientist for her outstanding scientific contribution that impacts directly on the quality of life of women.
Three awards are made to women who are currently involved in full-time post-graduate study or research leading towards a Ph.D and who have two years post Masters research experience. These awards recognise outstanding ability and promise in research.
Three grants were awarded as follows:
The lecture will be a philosophical discourse by a distinguished woman scientist. The theme of the presentation will be "Women in Science". This can be interpreted to be:
The aim of the lecture series is to highlight the contribution of Women in Science and Technology by developing role models and showcasing positive career paths for women in Science and Technology.
Two lectures will be held annually. These will be held in March to coincide with International Women’s Day and the other lecture in September.
The Department of Science and Technology will host the series at a number of different tertiary institutions. The lectures will be open to the public and targeted high schools will be invited to send girls with an interest in mathematics and science to reinforce the role-model concept.
|
Name |
Nominating Institute |
|
Prof Hettie Schönfeldt |
Agricultural Research Council |
|
Dr D Meyer |
Rand Afrikaans University |
|
Prof N Beyers |
University of Stellenbosch |
|
Dr H Mouri |
University of Pretoria |
|
Prof Z van der Spuy |
University of Cape Town |
|
Prof A Williamson |
University of Cape Town |
|
Prof V Watson |
University of Cape Town |
|
Prof D Hildebrandt |
University of the Witwatersrand |
|
Prof J Thomson |
HERS-SA |
|
Dr S Biermann |
CSIR |
|
Prof T Nyokong |
Rhodes University |
|
Dr R Stefan |
University of Pretoria |
|
Prof HH Vorster |
Potchefstroom University for CHE |
|
Prof J Thomson |
University of Cape Town |
|
Team: Prof A Williamson Prof C Williamson Prof E Shepard Dr G Grey |
SAAVI / Medical Research Council |
Prof Vanessa Watson
Senior staff member of the Department of Architecture and Planning at the University of Cape Town and is generally recognised as one of the leading authorities on housing, urban renewal and urban planning in South Africa. She has recently been approached by the World Bank to assist it in establishing a programme in South Africa in Urban Renewal to serve all African countries.
Her main area of research focus on urban environments and spatial planning. These are directed at marginalised people and their needs within cities. She promotes a different approach to the planning of urban environments which has implications for the quality of life of women, children and poor people. Prof Watson advocates living environments that have qualities of missed use, integration and compactness and highlights the importance of safety for women and children.
Prof Watson is currently involved in the improvement of planning education in Africa through the formulation of the Association of African Planning Schools.
|
Name |
University |
|
N Mzilikazi |
University of Natal |
|
N Goheer |
University of Cape Town |
|
G W Were |
University of Pretoria |
|
C M Steinmann |
University of Stellenbosch |
|
J W Karuri |
University of Witwatersrand |
|
A R Schwegmann |
University of Cape Town |
|
M Hallot |
University of the Western Cape |
|
K Landman |
University of Newcastle upon Tyn |
|
F Fotsa Ngaffo |
University of the Witwatersrand |
|
M Joshua |
University of the Witwatersrand |
|
M Assiamah |
University of the Witwatersrand |
|
M S Jansen van Rensburg |
University of South Africa |
|
P Mabeta |
University of Pretoria |
|
I E A Aghachi |
University of the Witwatersrand |
|
N Murray |
University of Cape Town |
Woman Scientist from Africa: Ms Nomakwezi Mzilikazi
Ms Mzilikazi is currently registered for the PhD at the Zoology Department of the University of Natal. Her field of study is in the field of evolutionary physiology.
Research that impacts on the lives of girls and women in South Africa: Ms Fernande Fotsa Ngaffo
Ms Ngaffo is a PhD student at the University of the Witwatersrand from Cameroon, at the Advanced Nanomaterails and Nanoscale Physics Laboratory of the School of Physics. She is investigating the development of low cost solar cells. The development of the low cost cells will benefit women in rural areas.
Area where participation by women is traditionally low: Ms Christina Steinmann
Ms Steinmann is registered for her PhD in the field of experimental laser spectroscopy at the Physics Department of the University of Stellenbosch. This is within an area where the participation of women is traditionally low.
The Science and Gender/ Disability Unit commissioned research to inform DST and the SARG on the status within Science Councils and Higher Education Institutions of the following:-
This study is undertaken by the Centre for Research in Science and Technology of the University of Stellenbosch and the results of this research will be available in mid-2004.
The SARG website was officially launched on Youth Day, 16 June 2003 and its main purpose is to inform the public of gender-related developments in SET as well as about the activities of the SARG. The site also serves as a portal for discussion forums. A closed forum allows discussions between SARG members. An open forum allows individuals from the scientific community and the general public to enter into discussion and debates with each other, SARG, DST and NACI on issues relating to gender mainstreaming in SET within the broad themes of Human Capital Development and Research Agendas. The themes and lessons arising out of these forums will be used to inform other gender equity initiatives such as conferences and research endeavours.
During September 2003, the Science, Gender and Disability Unit set-up a two-phased process aimed at achieving organizational change with the inclusion of gender sensitivity in all line function programmes resulting in Gender Equity Mainstreaming for DST. The first phase involved a set of focused interviews of seven Senior Managers by an external gender consultant to obtain an understanding of the organisational culture, work environment and core activities of the individual programmes. The interviews were followed by a one-day gender sensitivity and gender equity-mainstreaming workshop on 26/09/03 to which all Senior Managers were invited.
The final report on the outcomes of the interviews and workshop with specific recommendations towards achieving gender equity mainstreaming within DST was still being drafted at the time of submission of this document.
The Internal Gender Programme of the Department of Science and Technology was involved in the following projects:
The Technology for Poverty Alleviation Program from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is one of the initiatives within the Poverty Relief, Infrastructure Investment and Job Creation Program, that was approved by the Ministers' Committee on the Budget (MINCOMBUD).
The Department of Science and Technology’s commitment to poverty relief is evident in a wide range of funded projects. The Department’s focus with regard to these projects has been mainly on rural development.
Science and Technology projects are underway on a nationwide basis. Focussing on the transfer of available technologies to communities to enhance the use of local resources and indigenous knowledge to stimulate economic activity. Many of these projects have been implemented in poverty nodes as identified by the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Programme (ISRDP). Technology partners follow a holistic approach to poverty relief, focussing on technology as one component to contribute towards economic empowerment of previously marginalized groups and communities, with special emphasis on women.
At total of 112 projects are ongoing, ranging from beekeeping to papermaking and food production. A total of 1459 women benefited from the projects.
The SET sector has identified a need for a Gender Equity Mainstreaming Policy to assist in the transformation of the National System of Innovation.
The envisaged policy will capture the two themes of:
The draft policy should be available for public debate by mid-2004.
DesigNation is a national design initiative aimed at developing the product design capabilities of South Africa to ensure sustainable economic growth through the creation of a powerful national design culture. The CAD training programme, developed by the CSIR is spearheading this design initiative. The Science, Gender and Disability Unit has been requested to conduct a gender audit of the CAD training programme which was rolled out in mainstream schools in Gauteng in order to determine the impact of this public funded initiative on the status of the girl-child within the SET sector.
The objective of the gender audit is to determine the gender responsiveness of the programme, the long term impact of the project on girls i.e. the effect on career paths/choices and to identify areas for improvement in the current training programme and provide recommendations to ensure that future projects are gender responsive.
When one considers the uptake of Science and Technology courses and careers by women, one realizes the alarming social and economic future facing women should they not be fully integrated as both users and producers in the Information Society. A review of international literature indicates that there is a significant gap in Research and Development (R&D) with regard to the gender gap in computer games because researchers and software developers have paid little attention to the disparities between boys' and girls' involvement with computer games.
Therefore, the Science, Gender and Disability Unit is investigating the possibility for the design of a computer game by a team of girls (Grades 6-8) in order to stimulate their interest and involvement in the fields of SET. The main objective of this project is to include girls in the traditionally male dominated field of SET and stimulate their interest and continued participation in the field by encouraging their involvement in technology design and creating a fun platform for Mathematics and Science learning.
The Science, Gender and Disability Unit intend commissioning a study in early 2004 into the impact of Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) on the lives of South African women across the SET sector. This survey will form part of a larger effort to record South African women's experiences in SET in order to work towards a programme of interventions aimed at mainstreaming women into South Africa’s SET system.
The perspectives of women themselves are central to this study. A desktop study, qualitative one-on-one interviews and a specifically structured conference will provide the core data for the study. The overall aim of the study is to gather women’s accounts of their experiences and thoughts about SET and the meanings and values they attach to SET in order to determine the most effective and appropriate interventions for gender mainstreaming.
This study is intended to compliment quantitative studies undertaken on behalf of DST by the Centre for Research on Science and Technology (CREST), through the provision of comprehensive qualitative data on the status of women in SET in South Africa. The key participants will include representatives from industry, academics, post-graduate and under-graduate students, science councils and officials from the various government departments.
|
Project |
Amount |
|
SARG |
R1 Million |
|
South African Women in Science Awards |
R1 Million |
|
Research Project |
R260 000 |
|
Administrative cost of unit |
As necessary |