Session 1: Session 1: Building a gender perspective in Building a gender perspective in science: impact on the research community science: impact on the research community

ReportReport

Chair: Anna KaramanouChair: Anna Karamanou

Rapporteur: Jaroslaw WojcieszekRapporteur: Jaroslaw Wojcieszek

Presentation 1: Dr Hana Havelkova Presentation 1: Dr Hana Havelkova From national icons to superwomen – Enwise specific gender From national icons to superwomen – Enwise specific gender

contextcontext..

The presentation aim:The presentation aim: To explain objectives and theoretical as well as methodological base of To explain objectives and theoretical as well as methodological base of

Enwise gender context. Enwise gender context. It also discussed the importance of historical framework, and gender It also discussed the importance of historical framework, and gender

aspect of “the cultural revolutions” in Central and Eastern European aspect of “the cultural revolutions” in Central and Eastern European countries. countries.

According to dr Havelkova such a new perspective was missing and it According to dr Havelkova such a new perspective was missing and it proves essential for better understanding and dealing with the proves essential for better understanding and dealing with the complexity of gender issues in the region.complexity of gender issues in the region.

Presentation 2: Prof. Elzbieta Oleksy Presentation 2: Prof. Elzbieta Oleksy Societal relevance of gender research in the Enwise Societal relevance of gender research in the Enwise

countriescountries

Prof. Oleksy has pointed to the importance of Women and Science Prof. Oleksy has pointed to the importance of Women and Science Unit that turned out to be instrumental in:Unit that turned out to be instrumental in:

furthering the participation of women in EU research programmes of furthering the participation of women in EU research programmes of all levelsall levels

full integration of gender perspectives in EU research. full integration of gender perspectives in EU research.

The presentation discussed:The presentation discussed: the directions of the Unit’s activitiesthe directions of the Unit’s activities findings of study on Improving the Human Research Potential and the findings of study on Improving the Human Research Potential and the

Socio-economic Knowledge, Socio-economic Knowledge, leaving audience with the conclusion that majority of IHP Programme leaving audience with the conclusion that majority of IHP Programme projects did not contribute to the understanding of the gender projects did not contribute to the understanding of the gender dimension.dimension.

Presentation 3: Indre Mackeviciute: Presentation 3: Indre Mackeviciute: Women in science: the role of gender equality machineryWomen in science: the role of gender equality machinery

Mrs Mackeviciute presented the Lithuanian hands-on experience in Mrs Mackeviciute presented the Lithuanian hands-on experience in implementing gender equality form the perspective of Office of the implementing gender equality form the perspective of Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson. She has outlined:Equal Opportunities Ombudsperson. She has outlined:

current situation in Lithuania with stress on problems concerning current situation in Lithuania with stress on problems concerning gender imbalance in the research communitygender imbalance in the research community

the work of the Ombudsman Office including legal initiatives and the the work of the Ombudsman Office including legal initiatives and the effects of the state equal opportunities programs.effects of the state equal opportunities programs.

Presentation also suggested ways of increasing the effectiveness of Presentation also suggested ways of increasing the effectiveness of the equal opportunities actions.the equal opportunities actions.

Presentation 4: Diana Meyer-Veden Presentation 4: Diana Meyer-Veden Opportunities and Challenges for Gender Equality by Opportunities and Challenges for Gender Equality by

Learning from Two Different RegimesLearning from Two Different Regimes

The presentation analyzed the gender equality questions related to The presentation analyzed the gender equality questions related to the experience of a person educated in the communist regime, and the experience of a person educated in the communist regime, and working in the capitalist systemworking in the capitalist system

Roles of culture, society and education in shaping gender awareness Roles of culture, society and education in shaping gender awareness at:at:

micro levelmicro level meso levelmeso level micro levelmicro level

Ms Meyer-Veden compared the positive and negative aspects Ms Meyer-Veden compared the positive and negative aspects concerned with the socialization at all levels and expressed need for concerned with the socialization at all levels and expressed need for an appropriate framework to lessen the gender inequalities starting an appropriate framework to lessen the gender inequalities starting from the earliest stages of educationfrom the earliest stages of education

Presentation 5: Prof. Teresa Rees Presentation 5: Prof. Teresa Rees From ETAN to ENWISE: Gender mainstreaming in science From ETAN to ENWISE: Gender mainstreaming in science

policypolicy

Prof. Rees discussed the impact of both reports on the research Prof. Rees discussed the impact of both reports on the research communitycommunity

ENWISE – a unique insight into the position of women in science in ENWISE – a unique insight into the position of women in science in Central and Eastern European Countries and the Baltic StatesCentral and Eastern European Countries and the Baltic States

Gender mainstreaming - involves promoting equality in all policies, Gender mainstreaming - involves promoting equality in all policies, programmes and actions, in organisations and their culturesprogrammes and actions, in organisations and their cultures

So far it does not go beyond the “equal treatment” where men are So far it does not go beyond the “equal treatment” where men are taken as the normtaken as the norm

The need to concentrate on the gendered nature of how science is The need to concentrate on the gendered nature of how science is organised, gendered construction of scientific excellenceorganised, gendered construction of scientific excellence

Until gender mainstreaming is brought to these areas equal treatment Until gender mainstreaming is brought to these areas equal treatment and positive action will always be limited in effectsand positive action will always be limited in effects

Discussion Discussion

Participants of the Session in general Participants of the Session in general expressed their support for the idea of expressed their support for the idea of introducing historical and social dimension introducing historical and social dimension to the gender researchto the gender research

However…However…

Need for a more detailed analysis of legal dimensionNeed for a more detailed analysis of legal dimension How to avoid the backlash suffered by Americans?How to avoid the backlash suffered by Americans? Need for a more detailed information on the areas of Need for a more detailed information on the areas of

fundingfunding Need for a link between Chapters 1 and 2 of the ReportNeed for a link between Chapters 1 and 2 of the Report More attention to the history of Western womenMore attention to the history of Western women The place of men in gender studiesThe place of men in gender studies How shall we shape science to make it most useful?How shall we shape science to make it most useful? The womens’ perception of themselves (discriminated or The womens’ perception of themselves (discriminated or

not)not)

However…However…

The implementation of European ides to the The implementation of European ides to the research communityresearch community

Make the research publicMake the research public Social science should accompany all Social science should accompany all

scientific projectsscientific projects