Objectives & Functions

Objectives

The mission of INWES will be accomplished by:

1. Becoming an influential voice on STEM issues for the benefit of women, gender equity, and society.
2. Increasing the presence of women in mainstream STEM decision-making bodies.
3. Promoting exchange of information, networking, advocacy, and a number of global and regional projects.

Functions

Advocacy

• Provide an international voice for women in STEM careers.
• Collaborate with UNESCO and others on international campaigns to raise awareness about STEM issues.
• Ensure appropriate representation of women on international and regional decision-making forums, and panels.
• Document and publicize the contributions of women in STEM worldwide.

Special Projects

• Increase awareness, access to education, and career opportunities for girls and women.
• Support the development of educational tools, training of teachers, and mentoring.
• Share good practices among members by providing resources for professional development, and distribution of these materials.
• Identify opportunities to collaborate with organisations and corporations in providing programs, projects, and events.

Networking Events.

• Provide a solid forum for international events and conferences for women in STEM.
• Oversee future triennial ICWES conferences.
• Foster a number of regional events.
• Work with host organisation/country on logistics, announcements, and publicity.

Exchange of Information

• Establish a worldwide web portal for information on women in STEM.
• Encourage all countries to collect and analyse sex-disaggregated data.
• Collect and disseminate information, including a newsletter.
• Maintain a database of international events.
• Reach people in different languages.
• Post information about INWES and networked associations.
• Provide links to websites of Organisational and Corporate Members.
• Establish links to relevant databases about STEM careers, education, and research.