Gender in STEM (GIST) Initiative
Gender in STEM (GIST) is a three-year IDRC investment to advance gender analysis and women’s leadership in STEM fields in the Global South. GIST funds researchers in the Global South and increases localized evidence on the key factors that constrain or support women scientists. The initiative also identifies innovative approaches to strengthen the measures of higher-education institutions and others to be more inclusive of women and gender analysis in STEM. IDRC funded the Breaking Barriers projects in 2020 to address this knowledge gap. The cohort of 10 studies analyzed trends of gendered participation in Southern science systems and the systemic and systematic inequities that prevent women from advancing in various fields and sectors in Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa. These studies generated evidence of the unique obstacles facing women and other marginalized groups in STEM in low-income countries. Building on this pilot initiative, in 2021 funding was expanded for GIST.
Contributed by: Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
- Developing innovative and inspiring educational strategies and initiatives - to open educational pathways for girls in science
- Enhancing the visibility of female role models - to dismantle gender stereotypes and biases in science
- Implementing policies and actions that promote inclusion, diversity and equity - to create work environments that attract, retain and advance women scientists
Matilda Dipieri (IDRC)