Working together to keep gender on the agenda – now more than ever

Women in Transport is delighted to be joining 20 organisations in an initiative led by WISE Campaign calling for gender balance to stay on the agenda. Our collective aim is to keep gender on the agenda during COVID-19 and beyond.

Science, technology, engineering and mathematical modelling save lives – we see that more than ever in this current pandemic. We are relying on our scientists, technologists and engineers to come up with solutions, fast, to improve health and survival rates, to support businesses, organisations and the economy, to enable virtual social connection. They are essential contributors, key workers and equal among them are many, many women.

We have all agreed to pool resources in a joint effort to ensure we continue to engage, nurture, grow and understand the important contribution of women in science, technology and engineering in the UK, now and for the future. Our shared resources can be found here.

Together, we have issued a joint statement, signed by all partner organisations which can be read in full here. The statement includes five actions that we have agreed to take forward together.

5 actions we are taking to make a difference:

  1. Telling positive stories about the way women are making a difference in this current pandemic.

  2. Keeping connected to STEM women whilst on furlough, working from home, caring for children or relatives and whilst their workplaces, schools, colleges and universities are closed. We will need their skills to help the economy bounce back.

  3. Addressing STEM skills shortages by providing women at risk of losing their jobs access to online technical training.

  4. Monitoring gender impact of decisions about employment, education and caring roles during the pandemic to ensure women are not disproportionately affected.

  5. Embracing new ways of working to transform our organisations for the long-term; including flexibility, online meetings, reduced travel which improve inclusion, productivity, health and well-being and benefit the environment.

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