Twenty Five (25) years ago, on 14 February 1998, the Women in Science International League was officially launched. Although some have different meaning for Valentine’s Day, however, the Founder President HRH Princess Dr. Nisreen El-Hashemite believes that we are bringing forward every woman and girl who love science.
What started as a small gathering of passionate women in science professionals developed into a powerful movement that has changed the face of equity, diversity and inclusion in science.
The Women in Science International League 25 years journey started in April 1998, the First International Conference on Women in Science, which was organized in close collaboration with the UN-DPI (currently known as Department of Global Communications), UNFPA, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the European Economic Commission (Currently known as the European Union), the World Bank, and the Medical Research Council of the UK, to create a plan for moving forward. The outcome recommendations were set as a framework for action for the International League.
The Rights of Women in Science Campaign started in early 1999 with many advocacy activities and symposia, focusing on:
• the Social Image of Women Scientists,
• Career Opportunities in Science,
• Equal opportunities in employment, funding and salaries,
• Motherhood and Career,
among others.
The advocacy campaigns are based on empowering women and girls in science, with respect different cultural and social believes.
The Women in Science International League helped and supported the establishment of women in science societies and associations worldwide, whether in academic institutions or at national levels. The number of 47 societies and 12 associations, reflects that women in science were enthusiastic to be heard and seen, and eager to be recognized with equal opportunities.
While advocating at policymakers of all levels, the league continued to bring women in science through its conferences and fora to discuss their rights and debate with governments and intergovernmental organizations their roles in development program. Participants generate recommendations and action plans for world policymakers to follow and implement. One of the best examples is the first Muslim Women in Science Congress organized with the OIC, ICESCO, and the Government of Morocco in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat, and held in 2000, in Morocco under the patronage of its king. The outcome document generated by 450 Muslim Women from around the world, was fully adopted by the heads of state and Islamic countries during their summit held in the same year in Saudi Arabia.
To recognize the Excellence of Women in Science, The First International Award for Women in Science was established in 1999, to recognize and honor the outstanding achievements of women specialized in all fields of science. In addition, to highlight internationally the significant role that women are playing in the advancement of Science Technology and Medicine, and the need for their inclusion at all levels of research, education, development, and decision-making. The Award, named after Fatima Al Fahreya, a woman who built the world’s first university over 1300 years ago which still existing in the city of Fez Morroco, is designed to encourage and reward the excellence of women’s achievements and accomplishments in science, medicine, technology, education, and society’s services, socio-economic development programs, and humanitarian relief. The First Award ceremony was held here at the United Nations Headquarters, Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium, in September 1999.
The Women in Science International League recognized the importance of women in science role models for girls and female youth, and further the need to create a platform for communication and collaboration between women in science (whether members of the league or not). In September 2000, the First Directory of Women in Science was launched. One of the most important outcomes of the Women in Science International Directory lies in shedding light on the achievements and accomplishment of Women in Science in different fields.
Using the power of internet and ICT, RASIT created in 2008 the first online webinars and workshop, at that time there was only Skype. This initiative aims to help women in science worldwide discusses and understands a variety of issues without leaving home or work. The on-line webinars and workshops service is not intended to replace traditional meetings. Rather, it is a way to help women in science from around the globe to meet without any financial costs associated. This online service helped in transfer of technology and training of scientists on latest methods used, and further helped women working in medical and diagnostic fields in serving their patients through online consultations and training.
The achievements of the Women in Science International Leagues continue through launching in 2001 the First ever Journal for Women in Science. This periodical provided a platform from 2001-2010 for the exchange of ideas, experience, and opinions on any aspect of women in science rights and concerns, with a special emphasis on the theory and practice of national and international strategies for the improvement of women in science situation worldwide. he Journal, published quarterly, included manuscripts on all aspects of understanding the situation of women in science: education, employment, health, social and psychological concerns, and improvement of personalities and abilities with consideration to cultural background. Per the RASIT Executive Board decision to reach a wider range of audiences by combining efforts between the League and Academic Institutions, and based on the collective data of UNESCO and RASIT on the challenges that women in science are facing in publishing their scientific manuscript, and following a constructive 5 studies, the Journal is now re-structured to facilitate action on many fronts, mainly progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Therefore, the Women in Science Journal will be re-published in March 2024 in a new format as a peer-review journal.
We are note Done yet! The Best Is Yet To Come.... !
