The Algerian Academy of Science and Technology (AAST) organized the first national “Women and Science” Day at the Hotel El-Djazaïr on Tuesday, in the attendance of the Minister of Communication, Mohamed Laâgab, the advisor to the President of the Republic in charge of international organizations, non-governmental organizations and human rights, Hamid Lounaouci, and other heads of advisory bodies.
The President of the Algerian Academy of Science and Technology, Hichem Karra, has announced the creation of a national “Women and Science” day to periodically recognize women who have excelled in the fields of science and technology. “The policy of promoting women is enshrined in Commitment Number 10 of the President of the Republic, and has been given concrete form through the central role accorded to women in the process of national development and economic revival, while promoting their access to positions of responsibility and protecting them from all forms of violence”, he stated. The day is devoted to women scientists who have left their mark on the scientific sphere.
The impact of stereotypes that underestimate women’s intellectual capacities has resulted in the fact that, as a result of a report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), women represent barely 33% of researchers, mainly in the fields of mathematics and mechanics, compared with 40% in Algeria, he asserts. However, he points out that women’s access to positions of responsibility in academic institutions does not exceed 1% for female rectors and 10% for directors of research laboratories.
For her part, Kaoutar Krikou, Minister for National Solidarity, the Family and the Status of Women, reminds us of the achievements made by women in science and technology. “These achievements have not come out of nowhere; they are the fruit of the sacrifices made by women fighters in the War of Liberation. And they are also the result of the President of the Republic’s support for this approach”, she maintains. In this respect, Krikou mentions the introduction of parity for access to elected assemblies. Which, she claims, consolidates women’s activity in political life.
62% of University graduates are women.
On the economic side, the Minister stressed the interest shown by young women in entrepreneurship and start-up projects, pointing out that 62% of university graduates are women. Added to this is the national program launched in 2021 for the social and economic integration of rural women. 227,549 rural women have already benefited from professional training. In addition, 21,612 social investigations were conducted with a view to involving rural women in national production, including 137,849 women artisans. This led to the creation of 84,993 jobs, she adds.
In addition, the President of the People’s National Assembly, Brahim Boughali, underlined, in a speech read on his behalf by deputy Fatima Ilimi, the presence of women in all sectors. He also highlighted their ability to acquire knowledge and transmit it to the next generation. Mr. Boughali believes that AAST could play a crucial role in this direction.
On this event, AAST paid tribute to four outstanding women scientists, and through them to all women who have devoted themselves to knowledge in order to contribute to societal development. These included Prof. Yasmine Belkaïd, Director General of the Institut Pasteur in Paris, Prof. Rabéa Séridji, former Director of the Institut of Natural Sciences at the University of Bab Ezzouar, the late martyr Hassiba Ben Bouali, and the late Prof. Zahia Chentouf Mentouri, former Minister of Health and Director of the National Agency for the Development of Health Research.