Gender dimensions in environmental sciences and the role of women associations

Abstract

Environmental - health debate is one of the most challenging and complex issue that authorities at local, national and international level have to deal with. Being characterized by a high level of uncertainty, interests and values at stake, the research activity in these fields requires an enlargement of subjects authorized to participate in definition of research questions, work methodologies, collection of relevant information, with a plurality of values and views inside and outside of science [1]. Topics are also covered in COP21, COP22, UN Agenda 2030. The demand of raising awareness about the role that women play in the research environment as professionals and in society at large as stakeholders may be particularly huge in environmental sciences for original contributions they can give [2,3]. The goal at large is to improve the awareness and the knowledge about gender dimension in environmental research, thus putting the basis of further concrete actions in this direction. Scientific research, but also dissemination, public engagement, best practice exchange and networking activities of women scientists associations contribute in reaching this goal. We share and integrate our experiences while promoting debates and synergies. We start from our work in different research performing organizations, and more specifically, from our experiences in research and communication in science and in the environmental field, embracing climate changes, ecology and biodiversity, pollution and health, earth sciences. Dissemination and networking activities of Associazione Donne e Scienza, the women scientists association in Italy, facilitates this process of raising awareness. Multiple gender dimensions exist. First dimension refers to the gender of researchers, from the few pioneers of the past to the huge number of women that today are active in the environment, its balance and health research providing original contributions. These contributions should be largely recognized for their implications - per se - as well as for stimulating new girls to scientific curricula [4,5]. Another dimension is that of gender differences in the environmental impact assessment. Several studies indicate how impacts of environmental pollution as well as of climate changes on women and men vary significantly, and this issue must be addressed when implementing policies [6]. Starting from our professional activities we found that gender analysis has enriched the interpretation of scientific results, avoiding to underestimate health problems and environmental balance, in one sex or another [7, 8, 9]. Moreover, one gender dimension refers to the epistemological level. New research approaches including citizen science and participatory approaches embody characteristics that several scholars consider feminist methods of research [10]. Last gender dimension is that of presence of many women in environmental organizations, a presence arising new research questions about environmental protection and healthcare. Gender analysis expands the boundaries and enriches the environmental and health research and may largely contribute to the environmental debate and new approaches to knowledge.