MP Gemayel acknowledges at the UN unfair economic participation of women

The President of the Phalange Kataeb Party, Sami Gemayel said that women and girls have been denied credit and recognition of their achievements and innovation in the field of sciences, pointing out that the rate of women who received the Noble Prize did not exceed 3%. Gemayel who was speaking yesterday at the UN headquarters in New York on the occasion of the “International Day for Women and Girls in Science”, noted that while the number of Lebanese women with university degrees in the science discipline outweigh that of men, males still dominate research, as well as senior professional posts at various positions in the teaching of science and engineering in Lebanon, The Lebanese MP also referred to the “gradual decrease in women representation as we go up in the professional echelons,” lamenting the loss of women outstanding talents and urging men to play a more active role in the promotion and development of women’s potentials. Gemayel outlined the outcome of a recent study which indicated that the ratio of academic women holders of Grade D accounted for 61% against 23% of Grade A holders, (the latter is the highest grade which normally allows its holder to do scientific research), adding that only two out of 42 teaching institutions in Lebanon are headed by a woman. Gemayel also pointed out to the various challenges facing women scientists in Lebanon, namely common stereotypes, social norms, defective legal system and inequality in career promotion and salary. He also mentioned the absence of scientific research and development centers and scarcity of jobs in the field. Finally Gemayel put forward a number of recommendations which he considered as feasible. For more information: http://nna-leb.gov.lb/ar/show-news/205888. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, Al Diyar, February, 12 & 13, 2016)