Ms Oum Keltoum Hakam, Professor at the University of Ibn Tofail in Kenitra, Morocco, reported on an event that took place at the IAEA Headquarters in Vienna during the annual meeting of the International Nuclear Security Education Network (INSEN) on 9-13 July 2018.
The event was titled Towards a Greater Representation of Women in the Field of Nuclear Security, and it was attended by more than 100 participants. This is the third INSEN event on women in nuclear security since 2016.
Purpose of the Event
In her report, Ms Hakam (the organiser and moderator of the event) explained that she had ‘invited female and male experts in the field of nuclear security to discuss from different perspectives the contributions of women in nuclear security, to share the existing opportunities as well as the barriers they may face and how to overcome them, proposing recommendations and advice to expand the participation of women in the field of nuclear security’.
Ms Evans’ Remarks
Ms Hakam also reported that during the event, Ms. Evans said it was ‘important to ensure that gender parity in hiring is assisted through the removal of unconscious bias when hiring. Examples are making sure that employment profiles are based on competencies and not specific experiences, particularly if there are few women in a particular area and therefore any female applicant would have difficulty meeting the specified requirements, whereas she may be able to demonstrate transferable skills and competencies that are actually required by the job profile.’
Ms Evans also said that WINS has made the commitment not to sit on manels (all male panels) and that WINS is beginning a research project that analyses the barriers that are currently inhibiting greater numbers of women from engaging in nuclear security.
For more information about the INSEN event, see: Panel Event Report
For more information about WINS’ Gender Champions Programme, see Gender Equality
You can also email us at: gender.equality@wins.org
