Beijing Statement

As we close the 4th General Assembly and International Conference of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSDW), gathered here at the Beijing International Conference Centre, China, we hereby affirm that it is strategically important for all countries to promote the participation of women in national scientific, engineering, technological and innovation systems. Only with the full participation of women will we be able to create more integrated, sustainable, economically advanced and equitable societies.

Considering:

• The statement of the Beijing Platform for Action of the 1995 Fourth United Nations World Conference on Women, that countries should recognize and encourage the contribution of research by women scientists and technologists and provide access to technology transfer to women's business enterprises; and
• Para 90 of the Framework for Action of the World Conference on Science held in Budapest in 1999, that governments, educational institutions, scientific communities, non-governmental organizations and civil society, with support from bilateral and international agencies, should take steps to ensure the full participation of women and girls in all aspects of science and technology;

Acknowledging that progress towards gender equality in science, engineering and technology (SET) is occurring in many countries;

Realizing that much remains to be done before women can contribute equally with men and before girls have full access to education in science, engineering and technology;

Hereby conclude that governments and the international community should:

• Work to support and encourage the full participation of women and girls in education, careers and work in science, engineering, technology and innovation; and
• Recognize the role that science, engineering, technology and innovation can play in supporting women's development activities.

Propose the following course of actions for governments and the international community:

• Document, highlight and collect data on the scientific, engineering and technological contributions and knowledge of women;
• Improve conditions for recruitment, retention and advancement of women in all fields of research;
• Work towards equitable representation of women in national, regional and international policy- and decision-making bodies and forums; and
• Recognize and help women implement and improve their local scientific knowledge.

We furthermore acknowledge our need for personal and collective networking and action at local, national chapter, regional and international levels and pledge our best efforts to work with those committed to implementing the goals outlined here.

Beijing, 29 June 2010