Science, Engineering and Technology for Women (SET4W)

Mandate:

Science, Engineering and Technology for Women (SET4W) (also previously known as South African Reference Group on Women in Science and Technology - SARG) is a permanent national advisory committee of the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI). This advisory committee aims to achieve greater equality between women and men by bringing a gender equity perspective into everyday science, engineering and technology policy-making.

• Rendering advice on biotechnology in South Africa recognizing Government’s investment in developing the bio-economy;
• Providing strategic interpretation and advice on the overall development of the South African biotechnology sector;
• Providing strategic advice on national biotechnology research and development priorities, innovation opportunities and gaps to ensure a functioning and growing pipeline of biotechnology innovations related intellectual property that can be used enhance the quality of life of South Africans and achieve economic growth;
• Considering and recommending improvements to existing strategies to grow financial resources, human capital and infrastructure for the benefit of the sector;
• Providing strategic advice to increase the impact and efficiency of the National Biotechnology Strategy and any subsequent published strategies and implementation plans; and
• Monitoring and advising on issues pertaining to bioethics

Background:

Gender Equality is a fundamental tenet under the Bill of Rights of The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996) and marks the greater vision of human rights for all women and men irrespective of race, gender, class, age and disability. The Beijing +5 Report declared that a fundamental and necessary component of development is to ensure that equal opportunity is afforded to women to access Science and Technology.

Access to Science and Technology (S&T) for women is necessary to transfer patterns of productivity, contribute to job creation and new ways of working and in promoting the establishment of a knowledge-based society resulting in wealth creation. Access by women to Science and Technology also has the potential to positively contribute to improving the quality of life of women, their livelihoods and households.

The Department of Science and Technology’s (DST) Research and Development (R&D) Strategy articulates a clear position on the empowerment of women and a need for their meaningful participation and contribution in the development of R&D in South Africa. An extensive consultation with key stakeholders at various forums has determined that the vehicle to achieve gender mainstreaming would be through the appointment of the SET4W.

In 2006, with the term of office of the first SET4W committee coming to an end, the Minister of Science and Technology approved a new dispensation whereby SET4W would become a ten-person NACI standing committee. A new committee was appointed in February 2007 and its inaugural meeting took place on the 19th of March 2007.

Members: