Gender

Gender

WMO convened the Meeting on the Participation of Women in Meteorology and Hydrology in 1997 in Bangkok. The Second WMO Conference on Women in Meteorology and Hydrology was held at the Headquarters of the WMO Secretariat in Geneva from 24 to 27 March 2003. The main objectives were to review the current situation as regards the participation of women in meteorology and hydrology; to review progress since Bangkok; develop benchmarks to measure future progress; and develop strategies to increase the participation of women in the activities of WMO and in the work of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs). The Conference also considered the gender-sensitive aspects of the activities of NMHSs such as the application of climate information by rural women and the special roles women play in water management and disaster response.

The Conference reviewed and reaffirmed the recommendations of the 1997 Bangkok meeting and stressed the need for their implementation and for accountability. To advance that objective, and to further promote the participation of women in meteorology and hydrology and in WMO activities, the Conference agreed that a number of actions should be taken by women professionals.

These included the promotion of and participation in the process of career development through formal and informal mentoring, guiding and counselling; and the formation of regional/sub-regional networks to exchange ideas, experiences and policies. These networks could also be used to allow participants to share information with other countries within their region not present at the conference.

Participants shared their professional experiences, which varied widely according to socio-economic and cultural conditions. Social and institutional barriers to female participation still exist in many countries and pose constraints to improvements in women’s work status. Many common issues and problems were identified.

The Conference recommended that the NMHSs and permanent representatives, WMO technical commissions and regional associations and the WMO Secretariat take the lead in a number of actions.

To make progress several challenges were issued to NMHSs, WMO in particular and meteorologists and hydrologists in general, while opportunities to move ahead were presented.

In follow-up to this Conference, an expert meeting on gender mainstreaming was held in Geneva from 26 to 29 March 2007.

The Executive Council at its 59th session (May 2007) established the Executive Council Advisory Panel of Experts on Gender Mainstreaming.

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