Web-based 'clearing house' planned
for women in science
3 June 1999
[LONDON] An Internet-based gateway for women in science is to be
officially launched at the World Conference of Science in Budapest at the end of this month.
The Gender, Science and Technology (GST) Gateway is a
web-based clearing house of information, case studies and resources on
gender and science and technology for sustainable development for policy makers and groups interested in
building their networking and information base.
The GST Gateway is a project of the Gender Advisory Board
and of the
UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development, in
collaboration
with the Once and Future Action Network (OFAN). The advisory board is hoping to improve the flow of information to
decision makers on
gender, science and technology.
Secretariats in Indonesia and Montevideo
are creating the
gateway to disseminate relevant knowledge to developing countries, as
well as others wanting
to gain access to the web site. A policy tool-kit is also to be produced
in conjunction with the GST Gateway, which will provide resources and
information to back up key transformative
actions in the area of women, science and technology and development.
The site will be hosted by Women in Global Science and Technology
(WIGSAT), a group working to improve global networking
among women scientists and technologists on critical issues in science and
technology for development.
Sophia Huyer, from WIGSAT, who is developing the Gateway project, says that it may need as much as $250,000 in the next two years.
A 'virtual pavilion' - which will highlight activities around the world
in gender, science and
technology - is also being arranged for the Budapest conference by OFAN. The
pavilion will include
computer terminals with WWW access, and at least one VCR for videotapes.
The project's organizers hope that the pavilion will highlight women's
contributions in science and
technology to a large international audience of researchers, agencies
and donors. Huyer says
this will range from "researchers to grass roots groups. It will
highlight that women do
technology all the time, they are not just the recipients. We want to
show policy makers,
development agencies and NGOs what women are doing in science and
technology and what
the critical issues are, to make sure that women are included in science
and technology for
development and policy".
NATASHA LODER
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Nature © Macmillan Publishers Ltd 1999 Registered No. 785998 England.