The UNESCO Regional Office for Egypt and Sudan, in partnership with the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), officially launched the Arab Women in Science (AWSci) Platform recently. The launch took place during a high-level consultation and testing workshop at the AASTMT Smart Campus in Cairo.
This pioneering digital platform is the first of its kind in the region, uniquely co-designed with and for Arab women scientists. Its primary aim is to enhance their visibility, participation, and mobility across all scientific fields. The platform was developed based on extensive regional consultations, directly addressing the significant challenges Arab women often face in advancing their scientific careers, particularly in underrepresented disciplines like the social and human sciences.
The launch event brought together women scientists, students, and various stakeholders for a hands-on introduction to the platform’s core features. These include crucial resources such as co-mentorship opportunities, fellowships, capacity-building tools, a knowledge-sharing hub, and a dynamic ambassadors program. Participants actively contributed to the platform’s future development by providing direct feedback through interactive group sessions.
This initiative represents a bold step towards building inclusive scientific ecosystems across the Arab region. It also contributes to broader efforts promoting gender equality, open science, and innovation. With its initial pilot implementation in Egypt and Sudan, the AWSci Platform is set to expand its reach to serve all Arab countries, providing women and girls with the essential tools to pursue, thrive in, and lead scientific careers.
The collaboration between UNESCO and AASTMT underscores a shared commitment to empowering the next generation of Arab women scientists and fostering sustainable, knowledge-driven development throughout the region.
