Malta will host the 2nd global conference on women and girls in science between 10 and 11 February 2017. The conference, themed ‘Gender, Science and Sustainable Development: The Impact of Media’ is being organised by the Ministry for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties, in partnership with the Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT).
Speaking during a press conference, Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties Helena Dalli explained how Malta has been the promoter of the International Day for Women and Girls in Science, following a resolution put forward by the Maltese government which was adopted by the United Nations in December 2015.
Minister Dalli remarked how this international day aims to highlight the existing deficit of girls and women in areas of science, whilst improving the situation through education, and also through the use of media to show how this deficit should be addressed.
She said that this conference will serve as an opportunity to link together the Maltese Presidency of the EU Council, the Commonwealth (which Malta is currently its Chair), and the United Nations. In addition, the conference aims to create more awareness on the need for more girls to study science, as well as more women in decision making levels in science.
Princess Nasreen El-Hashemite, Executive Director of the Royal Academy of Science International Trust, explained how the conference will serve as an opportunity for women in science to debate with policy makers on various issues. She said that it will be divided into six different themes which include the role of the private sector in achieving parity in sustainable development, the impact of media, and science policy interface for women and girls.
“We want media to be our partner to achieve sustainable development and parity and this is the reason why we have combined gender with the media”.
More details about this conference are available online on http://womeninscienceday.org/