Knowledge, Institutions and Gender: an East-West Comparative Study

„THE WINNERS AMONG THE LOSERS“: THE POST - COMMUNIST SITUATION AT THE GLANCE OF BP6 PROMETEA PROJECT CONTEXTAssoc. Prof. Virginija ŠidlauskienėInstitute for Gender Studies of ŠiauliaiUniversity Knowledge, Institutions and Gender: an East-West Comparative Study The politics of knowing: research, institutions and gender in the making 27-28th November, 2008, Prague

WOMEN'S CAREERS IN S&T IN LITHUANIA • Why women are underrepresented in S&T fields of research? • HERITAGE: fomer Soviet ideology promoted gender ideology, but not gender awareness

GENDER AND DEMOCRATIZATION • The Baltic States governments have made a clear political choice by selecting an expert-bureaucratic model against participatory-democratic model, for implementing gender equality policies and gender mainstreaming as a part of human development and democratization

COMPARISION OF R&TD SYSTEMS IN BALTICS • R&TD systems are organized and functioning in a similar way (some differences caused by strategic policy decisions in the 90’ties) • After accession to EU the RTD systems are moving to the common EU model

COMPARISION OF R&TD SYSTEMS IN BALTICS • Soviet heritage: • Fundamental and applied research in Academies of Sciences • Research separated from HE, technological research institutes were under subordination of sectoral ministries (narrow specialization)

COMPARISION OF R&TD SYSTEMS IN BALTICS • Main RTD developments were subordinated by military-industrial complex of SU • RTD priorities were: math, physics, chemistry • Only GOV sector of RTD • Research institutes (some HE institutions) in close relations with the economy entities under contracts

R&TD REFORM AFTER 1990 • Gender equality in LT RTD Soviet system as propaganda statement • BUT well developed social security and child care facilities system were developed by poor economic resources

MAJOR CHANGES AFTER 1990 • The main Laws on Science & Studies were adopted • Too large & non-balanced system inhereted, difficult economical situation • International evaluation of RTD • Reform of RTD infrastructure-increase competitive research funding, reorganizing sector of institutes, HE autonomy, high expand international contacts, cooperation • Still week collaboration RTD-BUS

THE RECENT POLITICAL EVENTS WITH MAJOR INFLUENCE ON RESEARCH POLICY IN LITHUANIA • National Lisbon Strategy Implementation Programme for 2005-2008 • Provisions of the LT S&T White Paper to implement Strategy • Long-Term RTD Strategy & a Programme

THE RECENT POLITICAL EVENTS WITH MAJOR INFLUENCE ON RESEARCH POLICY IN LITHUANIA • 2006 updated the Programme for the Development of High Technologies • 2007 revised Priority Trends for R&ED • BUT not made real prioritization of any TRD fields • 2007 foresight study of national economy were started for priority RTD trends

LEGAL ACTS RELATED TO GENDER EQUALITY • The Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men, 1998 (amended in 2004) • The Law on Equal Opportunities adopted in 2004 • 2003-2004 NAP on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men • 2005-2009 NAP aims to integrate gender equality in education and research systems

IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS • EU Framework programmes • Structural Funds programming period 2007-2013 • Atoption of Strategy “Development of Gender Equality in Science and Research”, 2008

COMMON PROBLEMS IN POST-COMMUNIST • under representation of women in sciences and research • high under-representation of women in exact sciences and technologies • a large gender disproportion in the highest academic and scientific management levels

COMMON PROBLEMS IN ALL 5 COUNTRIES • bigger average salaries for men researchers in comparison to women researchers • no evidence for improvement of this situation

BARRIERS IN WOMEN'S SCIENTIFIC CAREERS IN S&T IN THE BALTIC STATES • A path to science • Scientific achievements and work environment • Work and family balance

PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING BODIES OF SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS • Administrative positions and scientific careers • A position of leadership • Gender and administrative work

SOLVING THE PROBLEM OF GENDER INEQUALITY IN S&T • Recognition of gender inequality in scientific community • Policy actions for encouraging women's active participation inS&T • Grants and scholarships for the scientific career of women • A quota system

SOLVING THE PROBLEM OF GENDER INEQUALITY IN S&T • Support after maternity leave • Proposals for encouraging women in sciences • The service of women in sciences

Gender equality model • NO- for the equality through sameness-when women accept male norms, remains the masculinity standards. • YES – for equal valuation and respect of differences and transformation of gendered practices for both women and men, transformation of relationships betweenthem.

Thanks for your kind attention! msc@cr.su.lt

Knowledge, Institutions and Gender: an East-West Comparative Study