UNCTAD urges gender-sensitive development efforts in developing nations

Governments should take concerted steps to include women and their concerns in their efforts to boost economic growth through science, technology, and innovation, a new UNCTAD report urges. The report, "Applying a Gender Lens to Science, Technology, and Innovation", was prepared as a contribution to the 55th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Based on an examination of women's roles in a number of sectors such as agriculture, water, energy, and transport, the report argues that science, technology, and innovation - known by the acronym STI - will not have the broadly positive effects sought in less-wealthy regions of the world if STI policies do not specifically take into account the needs and talents of half the global population. Further gains in development depend on fully appreciating women's engagement in economic life and in society, the report contends; policy should be attentive not only to the differing impacts STI can have on men's and women's lives, but also to the significant part women play in economic growth. This approach should be followed throughout the process of STI policymaking, from policy analysis and design to implementation, monitoring, and follow-up. Recognizing this is what the report calls applying a "gender lens". "Pursuing gender-sensitive STI policies is not only a human development issue; it is also smart economics," explains Director of UNCTAD's Technology and Logistics Division Anne Miroux. The report identifies three areas for policy action. "Science for women" deals with developing science and technology that support women's development and livelihood activities, especially in areas such as agriculture, water, energy, and transport. "Women in science deals with promoting gender equality in science, technology, and engineering education, careers, and leadership. The third area of "Women in innovation" mean while deals with encouraging and supporting the role of women in innovation, enterprise, and entrepreneurship at the national and grassroots levels. The report's recommendations for national governments include the need to "Conduct impact assessments of policies related to STI for development to ensure that they benefit men and women equally; "Take into account when developing STI policies the extensive work done by women in areas such as agriculture, water, and energy use; "Expand the education of women in scientific and technological fields, and in entrepreneurship, so that this reservoir of talent can boost economic growth and raise living standards; "Ensure that women have equal access to financing, land, and markets so that businesses they found and the science and research they perform can have their full developmental impacts; "Support the participation of women in STI decision-making at all levels." There were also recommendations for international action which include efforts to "Publicize and share examples or case studies of successful efforts to include gender concerns in STI policies and programming. "Support governments' efforts to include gender concerns in their STI policies through, for example, aid programmes; "Encourage international and national research institutes and universities to develop partnerships and collaborate with non-governmental organizations, government agencies, and the private sector to support the advancement of women in science, technology, and innovation, especially in developing countries." UNCTAD is now working with the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) to provide a platform for the exchange of illustrative cases of gender-sensitive STI policymaking.