Posted on 02/11/21
Jerusalem, Israel - Feb. 11, 2021 - February 11th was designated as The International Day of Women and Girls in Science by a December 2015 resolution of the United Nations General Assembly. The day recognizes the critical role women and girls play in science and technology.
An online international webinar "Challenges and opportunities for women in STEM" was hosted by the Israeli Ministry of Science, the Israel-Australia Chamber of Commerce (IACC), the Council for the Advancement of Women in Science and Technology, Women in STEMM Australia, & Global Victoria.
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In opening greetings Shai-Lee Spigelman, Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Science and Technology expressed concern the percentage of women in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and math) is still low.
Tim J. Dillon, Agent-General for the State of Victoria to Europe and Israel, mentioned though unable to travel from Australia to Israel in the past year, he was impressed by Israeli talent and innovation. He was the only male and the first of the speakers to mention women losing jobs at a greater rate during the COIVD-19 pandemic.
Beginning the presentations, Prof. Rivka Carmi, Former President of Ben-Gurion University, spoke of women in medical fields, sharing findings from both Israel and the United States. Recent statistics show women in medical schools on par or more than men but in positions of responsibility, as department heads of hospitals 17% and only 9% heads of hospitals are female. Is this free choice, lack of role models, unfriendly environment, or family concerns causing the "glass ceiling" or lack of women at the top? With COVID-19 women were well involved in discussion groups to give advice but were missing from the important decision groups. Further gaps during the pandemic include women's presently low numbers of research papers which will be a factor in promotions in the future.
Prof. Hagit Messer Yaron, Tel Aviv University, Former President of the Open University, and Co-founder of ClimaCell, spoke on women in engineering. Women have traditionally been in low numbers and underrepresented, especially in electrical engineering. The female students in Israeli high school are studying STEM, however, many enter bio-medical fields rather than mechanical and electrical engineering. The low retention rate of women in the workplace indicates a need for more female leadership. Female mentors could help girls proceed with careers in STEM fields and break those glass ceilings and 1:4 ratios.
Speakers from Australia Dr. Amanda Caples, Victoria's Lead Scientist, and Dr. Marguerite Evans-Galea AM presented their research on women in STEM with similar findings of retention in developed countries to the data presented from Israel.
Dr. Carmi shared an example of Canadian Nobel Prize-winning Donna Strickland. When asked why she only was promoted to her leadership position after becoming a Nobel Laurette, responded "I never applied!"
Remarks from Sharon Rashi Elkeles Chair of the Council for Advancement of Women in Science and Technology of the Israeli Ministry of Science and Technology closed the webinar, the first in a three-part series on Women and STEM.
Screen shares of participants' prepared presentations, below:
