Doc. 8360
25 March 1999

Role of women in the field of science and technology

Opinion ¹

Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men

(Rapporteur: Ms Manuela Aguiar, Portugal, Group of the European People’s Party)

1.       The report by the Committee on Science and Technology, clearly shows that, although women have played a key role in both past and present scientific and technological progress and are increasingly opting for scientific training, it is a sphere that is still dominated by men.

2.       The existing statistics mentioned in the report speak for themselves. The committee agrees with the rapporteur, Mrs Guirado, that statistical surveys should be undertaken with a view to obtaining more comprehensive, gender-based data; this is particularly important for central and Eastern European countries data, which are not yet available. If such statistics were available at national and European level, they would provide a picture that might serve as a basis for more detailed analysis aimed at improving the situation in this area.

3.       Although considerable progress has been made with regard to access to education and vocational training, and growing numbers of women are coming on to the labour market with almost the same level of education as men, the fact remains that, in the majority of cases, girls are guided towards traditionally feminine fields of study and occupations. This practice consequently limits their ability to acquire the necessary scientific and technological skills.

4.       This phenomenon is easily explained, as one of the main causes is family upbringing which is given to girls and family mentality. Changes must therefore be made within the family. Differences are apparent from infancy: fathers initiate boys into DIY, buy them racing cars and toy garages and give them computers and sports equipment, whereas girls are given dolls, clothes and other trinkets. Moreover, they have to help their mothers with domestic and household chores and sometimes they have to look after their younger brothers and sisters.

5.       The report quite rightly shows that this discriminatory situation continues at school; particularly in mixed classes, teachers tend to give more encouragement to boys than to girls, who, discouraged by such attitudes, unfortunately opt for more feminine occupations.

6.       The committee therefore fully supports the proposals made in the draft resolution, which aim, inter alia, to change attitudes by inviting parents to encourage girls to pursue scientific or technical careers rather than discouraging them.

7.       In order to bring about such changes, however, it is essential to educate parents and teachers; government assistance will be needed to implement the necessary measures.

8.       The committee also wishes to emphasise the issue of financial and educational resources available to women, which is another key way of redressing such inequalities. Women need relevant, objective information when choosing a career, particularly with regard to scientific and technical fields, but they also need resources enabling them subsequently to reconcile professional and family life. Too many women abandon scientific and technical careers because they find it impossible to balance family responsibilities and work. Here again, governments must step in to implement stricter regulations concerning parental leave and adjustments to working time, not to mention social measures such as nurseries, child-care centres and so on.

9.       Lastly, in view of the importance of this issue, the committee considers that progress in this area must be closely monitored, and fully supports the motion for an order contained in the report. However, in the light of its specific terms of reference, the committee proposes an amendment aimed at ensuring that it is involved in monitoring developments with regard to the role of women in the field of science and technology.

10.        The Committee also proposes following amendments to the draft resolution:

a.       Replace paragraph 2 by the following text:

"These inequalities should not only be interpreted as being derived from deliberate action towards women, but as the consequence of a long history of discrimination against women".

b.       After paragraph 3, insert a new paragraph:

"Interest and ability in the in the field of science and technology is not created in schools and universities".

c.       In paragraph 7 v., delete the words after "subjects" and replace with the words "giving priority to girls of equal qualifications when allocating grants".

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Committee for report: Committee on Science and Technology (Doc. 8332).

Committee for opinion: Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men.

Reference to committee: Doc. 7698 and Reference No. 2298 of 26 May 1998.

Opinion approved by the committee on 4 March 1999.

¹ See Doc. 8332, report of the Committee on Science and Technology