Women and Science

• © UNESCO/D. Roger
• National Centre of Oceanographic Research laboratory, Madagascar

The World Conference on Science (WCS) (Budapest, 1999) stressed the importance of promoting women in science and technology if sustainable development is to be achieved on a planetary scale. In particular it requested that a range of priority measures be taken in order to :

• Develop scientific and educational policies that take gender equality into account;
• Improve access of girls and women in science education, including with a view to poverty reduction;
• Support networks of women scientists and engineers;
• Follow-up the regional meetings on "Women, Science and technology" (1998-99) so as to strengthen regional strategies adapted to local needs.