Discussion “Women in Industry” took place at the resource Efficient and Cleaner production Center

Discussion “Women in Industry” took place at the resource Efficient and Cleaner production Center in Kyiv on January 22nd 2014. The discussion was attended by the RECPC staff, representatives of partner organizations (International Center of Business Ethics Development/KPI , Gender Education Center/KPI), Center trainees, representatives of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Ukraine. The discussion moderator Olena Suslova, gender expert, the head of the board of Information and Consulting Women Center introduced the discussion participants into the results of gender review of industrial sector initiated by the Center.

The participants discussed the following issues:

• What are the barriers faced by women working in industrial sector in Ukraine?
• What are specific problems faced by women?
• Does industrial sector need more women?
• What factors could positively contribute to increasing the number of women in industry and their advancement?
• Is it important to have some forum/network to discuss problems of women working in industrial sector?

The discussion resulted in a decision on creation of network for facilitation of gender integration in industrial sector.

What could be network used for?

• Development of the initiatives designed to increase the number of women in engineering majors and careers.
• Provision of opportunities for women engineering students for the development of leadership skills.
• Inspiring women to achieving their fullest potential as engineers and as leaders, and celebrating their accomplishments and successes.
• Fostering a dynamic environment that encourages the personal and professional development of all engineering students.
• Work with the governmental institutions to ensure that more consideration is given to social impacts of decision and policy making.
• Encouraging the undergraduate women student to pursue graduate studies.
• Enhancing the overall experience of women and facilitation of their entry into careers in academia, research and industry.

Presentation