“Women in the Knowledge Based Society”, was the theme of Equal Opportunity’s 5th annual Symposium on Women in Sciences & Technology. Under the auspices of H.E. Dr. Mofid Shehab,. minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the two day forum was held on 27 and 29th May 2004 ; and in collaboration with the National Research Center (NRC) first outcome of the Cooperation Agreement lately signed between AUC and NRC.
10 panels constituted the two day forum. Dr. Madiha El Safty, AUC SAPE faculty inaugurated the Opening Session “Women in the Knowledge Based Society: Cultural Aspects” , which preceded the first day’s panels. Dr. El Safty spoke of the male dominant Egyptian society, women’s female illiteracy, 55% vs. 32% for male education; women’s participation in the workforce is 15.4% - out of which (16%) in management positions, adding that Women political participation is also decreasing whether as a candidate or as a voter. More stress must be made on raising the society’s cultural awareness and enhancing the education, media and NGO’s roles in this field. For though the women’s image in the media and educational programs have improved, more efforts can be exerted for further improvement.
A group of distinguished AUC and NRC members as well as guests from external bodies discussed topics dealing with “Women & ICT – E-learning and E-Business”, “Empowerment of Women in Knowledge Based society”, “Enhancing The Competitiveness of Egyptian Women”, “Equal Opportunity for Women and the Knowledge Based Society”, “Media’s Role in the Knowledge Based Society”, ”Priorities in Scientific Research: Women’s Perspectives”, “Knowledge and Women Well-being”,” Role of the Civil Society”, ”Rural Women and Sustainable Livelihoods” and “Literacy and Continuing Education”.
The following recommendations were the fruit of the two days forum:
EDUCATION & ICT
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Education is the base for any societal development in Egypt. A need to improve the concept of women’s role in society through educational tools |
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Preparing both men and women into the knowledge based society through E-learning and applying ICT |
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Enhancing girls’ education, and increasing the number of girl schools, particularly in rural areas to over come illiteracy |
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Applying ICT into the educational system and training women on how to use it for everyday life |
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Spreading the concept of continued education so that women may benefit and develop their skills according the needs of the market |
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT & POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
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Promoting awareness of the importance of women’s political empowerment through the various channels |
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Facilitating the issuing of ID and voting cards for women to allow their active participation |
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Encouraging women to give their vote to those concerned with serving women’s issues |
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Encouraging the application of Affirmative Action which is aligned with the Egyptian Constitution |
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Opening the dialogue between both genders about women’s political participation rather than woman to woman as is the case now |
THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN THE KNOWLEDGE BASED SOCIETY
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Changing the negative image and stereo typing of women in the Egyptian TV series and programs |
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Spreading and promoting the principles and concept of the knowledge based society |
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High lightening the role of women as researchers, and professionals |
KNOWLEDGE AND WOMEN’S WELLBEING
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Promoting awareness of the environmental health risks for professional women and the importance of knowing the working environment and ensuring a healthy environment for all |
THE ROLE OF THE CIVIL
SOCIETY
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Emphasizing the important role played by the civil society in the progress and development of women towards the knowledge based society side by side to the efforts exerted by the State |
AUC president David Arnold began the closing session at NRC on the second and last day of the forum. President Arnold stated that the forum was an enhancement of the collaboration agreement between AUC and NRC. President Arnold acknowledged the importance of the forum, referring to the discussions that took place on the different aspects related to women in the knowledge based society, such as: E-learning and E-business, political participation, equal opportunity, enhancing competitiveness and the roles of media and NGOs.
President Arnold also spoke of the role the important role of the educational institutions such as AUC and other universities is in assisting Egypt to join the knowledge based society; referring to the second Arab Human Development Report issued in 2003, which discussed issues of knowledge, women empowerment and poverty. The report showed wide gender gap concerning knowledge issues., concluding that women joining the knowledge based society is not only a sign of equity but a necessity.
| Presentations | |||
| ► | Women and ICT: Profile Based Scenarios | PowerPoint Presentation | 
Pdf |
| ► | Women Empowerment | Word RTF file | |
| ► | Empowerment of Women in Knowledge Based Society (UNDP Rep) | PowerPoint Presentation | |
| ► | Environmental Health Risks for Female Professionals; What Do they Know About It? | PowerPoint Presentation | |
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Acknowledge, Contribute, Attribute | PowerPoint Presentation |