Progress in science and technology has a constant impact on our daily lives and is essential for our economic growth based on the knowledge society.
Women, who represent 60% of university graduates, are a reservoir of talent for science, technology and innovation. However, only 33% of them choose science or technology at higher education and very few make a career in this field. The majority of women in science are in the fields of medicine, biology or mathematics (to become teachers) and they often completely drop subjects such as computer science or civil and industrial engineering.
We must increase the attractiveness of science and technology subjects in order to increase the gender balance in this sector and bring innovation and economic growth.
Carr, Jennifer; Whitelegg, Elizabeth; Holliman, Richard; Scanlon, Eileen and Hodgson, Barbara (2009), (In)visible Witnesses: Drawing on young people's media literacy skills to explore gendered representations of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, in UKRC, Bradford, UK. http://oro.open.ac.uk/12008/1/Research_Report_9_Invisible_Witnesses.pdf
In this context JUMP, was chosen as the "National Point of Contact for Women in Technology" by the European Center for Women in Technology (ECWT based in Oslo) , and organised a seminar at the Senate of Belgium on the 4th of March 2011.This seminar aimed to review the state of play of business actions and to draw up a list for future actions.
Follow this link for programme, pictures, presse releases and video interviews from the Seminar!
We invite companies and organisations to undersigne the Code of best practices for Women in ICT and encourage you to use and diffuse the syntesis documents we prepared or the one we recommend.
Code signatories
Marie-Claire Van de Velde, VP Technology Transfer & Valorisation, IBBT
Martine Piccart, Head of the Medicine Department – Institut Jules Bordet
Saskia Van Uffelen, CEO, Bull & CSB Consulting
Pasquale Nardone, Physicien et Professeur, ULB
Inge Janssens, Diversity Manager, Belgacom
Carole Paleco, President, Be-Wise
Mieke Jacobs, Director, Capgemini Belgium
The European Centre for Women and Technology (ECWT) is a sustainable European multi-stakeholder partnership representing high-level expertise in women and technology development from business, government, academia and non-profit sectors and supporting regional innovation through leveraging resources, research, best practices and services.
From September 2011 the role of National Point of Contact for Women and Technology for Belgium is taken over from JUMP by Zen Digital Europe, created by Cheryl D. Miller.
JUMP will remain as active as always in supporting women in technology and science careers, and in encouraging young girls to pursue these areas so vital for our wellbeing and growth.
European Code
Code of best practices for Women in ICT
We invite companies and organisations to undersigne the Code of best practices for Women in ICT and encourage you to use and diffuse the syntesis documents we prepared or the one we recommend.
ECWT
European Center for Women in Technology
The European Centre for Women and Technology (ECWT) is a sustainable European multi-stakeholder partnership representing high-level expertise in women and technology development. womenandtechnology.eu
Zen Digital Europe
National Point of Contact for Women and Technology for Belgium
Zen Digital Europe is a consultancy in the area of Sustainability, addressing gender and environmental issues in particular, and promotes ICT and digital media. zendigital.be
Women in Science and Technology
SURVEYS & RESEARCHES