Challenges and solutions of the women scientists’ careers in the societies at STEP5

01 Mar. 2019

MSTF Media reports:

During the third day of the STEP5 event at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences University of Karachi scientists presented their lectures on the role they should play to enhance female scientists’ contribution to the health of society in order to tackle the challenge of NCDs and CDs in the Islamic world.

Sulayma Albarwani, member of the Organization of Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), emphasized on the gender equality in academia and networking. At the next level lies “production of science which can lead to the international level of coordination”.

She further noted that women scientists should have positions in order for their voices to be heard and legislations and policies have to be reshaped.” In this regard, having role models, gender stereotypes, women-friendly networks, and involving them in political decision-making are amongst other solutions presented by Sulayma Albarwani.

Then, Rabia Hussain, from Aga Khan University, talked on the role of women scientists in the world, stating that “if you educate a female, you educate a family”.

According to her, the idea of getting the women requires them to be educated. “If you educate mothers, you can change the family,” she stated.

“We have to continue education at national and international levels, as well as encourage independent thinking,” Hussain continued.

Rana Dajano, co-founder of Islamic World Academy for Young Scientists, chaired the panel for the female scientists’ contribution in future global village.

She underlined simple factors in life style which can change a society, like reading for fun which can educate the mind. She further explicated her own research on educating people in her surrounding environment through having a reading circle and social entrepreneurship.

Therefore, a need for more education will be created in the community and various investments and contracts will be promoted for taking the responsibility of creating a more developed society which supports the “home-grown programs”.

According to her, movement can start through a “human-centered” and “research-based” initiatives can lead to a sustainable model, introducing her organization and inviting everyone to join the process.

Finally, at the panel discussion it was underscored that women scientists want to the discrimination to be eliminated. This is while, women have to struggle more due to the extra burden and responsibility of family.

STEP5 is focusing on communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases prevention in the Islamic world, through finding solutions to overcome the battle on diagnosis strategies and providing platform to discuss the communicable and non-communicable diseases latest diagnosis strategies. STEP5 is emphasizing on female scientists' contribution in future global village and women's biomedical careers.

Attendees have discussed cases of eminent scientists in Islamic world and there have been opportunities to discuss industries and commercialization of health cutting-edge scientific products in the Islamic countries as well as the opportunities and threats.