Rabat Enhances Gender Equality in Scientific and Technical Fields through UNESCO Chair
Casablanca strengthens gender equality in science and technology with the inauguration of the UNESCO Chair titled “Gender Equality in Education and Scientific and Technical Work,” as part of a partnership between Mohammed V University and the Institute for Research and Development (IRD).
Rabat witnessed a significant step in promoting equality between men and women in scientific and technical fields with the opening of the UNESCO Chair on “Gender Equality in Education and Scientific and Technical Work.” This initiative is a collaboration between Mohammed V University and the Institute for Research and Development (IRD).
Objectives
The chair aims to:
- Study the discrimination faced by women in their academic and professional paths in science and technology.
- Document these disparities through accurate and updated data.
- Provide concrete recommendations to enhance the integration of women into the scientific and technical labor market.
- Support the establishment of public policies that take gender considerations into account in these sectors.
Stakeholders and Commitment
- Mohammed V University (UM5): Leading the initiative, the chair serves as a platform for research and proposals.
- Institute for Research and Development (IRD): An international partner contributing to research and engaging with decision-makers.
- UNESCO – Regional Office for the Maghreb: Through its representative, Sharaf Ahmid, it highlighted that the current percentage of female students in public universities stands at 53.6%, but this figure is insufficient for ensuring equal participation across all scientific fields.
- Ministry of Solidarity: Through Minister Naima Benhnia, the event was described as a means to transform human capital into a lever for development through equality in sciences.
Context and Impact
This initiative comes in light of the growing enrollment of girls in higher education, despite ongoing barriers in science and technology such as discrimination, under-representation in certain disciplines, and challenges in career paths.
The chair is linked to other UNESCO initiatives in Morocco, such as “Women and Their Rights” in Kenitra, and “Water, Women, and Decision-Making” in Ifrane, reflecting a strong national dynamic to promote gender equality across various sectors.
