Building Bridges: Strategies for Achieving Gender Inclusivity in Science, Technology, and Innovation

The Global Gender Gap Report of 2023, revealing a gender gap score of 68.4%, emphasizes the protracted nature of achieving full parity, estimating 131 years for closure. Besides, the European Gender Equality Index for 2023 shows modest improvement, yet only 2% of the population in this continent approach gender equality. Initiatives addressing gender inequality in research exist, but current challenges need comprehensive integration of gender-inclusive perspectives, urging governance bodies to actively promote and ensure success. The Gender STI Project, funded by the European Union, employs an interdisciplinary approach to advance gender equality in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI). One of the key activities undertaken within the framework of this project is the development of recommendations for the implementation of gender-inclusive policies in research. Following the Design-Thinking methodology, recommendations to reduce this gap have been generated, prioritized and refined in collaboration with international experts. The resulting action plan presented in this paper, provides a strategic roadmap for implementing gender-sensitive strategies in international STI cooperation. This action plan has already been endorsed by the European Commission, underscoring its significance as a valuable tool in the endeavour to address the gender gap. Its acceptance suggests that it can be implemented not only in Europe but also globally, serving as a meaningful contribution to advancing gender equality worldwide in STI.