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ENERGIA News Issue 2.3, August 1998

Networking around the World

OFAN - The Once and Future Action Network on Gender, Science and Technology

OFAN is a global network of organisations, networks and institutes working at different levels for more gender responsive science and technology development. Their common vision is to make science and technology more accessible and simple and to recognise the wealth of information and the rich heritage of knowledge that women apply in their daily lives. OFAN members seek more holistic, people oriented, gender-inclusive and environmentally sustainable approaches to science and technology. OFAN believes that the objective of sustainable development for all people can be achieved by linking formal and informal science, by reclaiming the value of women's indigenous knowledge, by training women in new technologies, and by promoting the leadership roles of women in defining the direction of scientific research and policy framing.

The four key goals of the Action Network are:

Access for All:
To promote equal access for women and girls of all stages to scientific education and technological literacy. To reach this goal, OFAN members are involved, for example, in promotional activities to increase the interest in science by girls and in organising technical training for women.

Linkages:
To promote linkages between scientific institutions and women's indigenous knowledge, between formal and non-formal R&D initiatives, and to enhance global information exchange, collaboration and learning. The OFAN members do this through electronic networking, their newsletter, collaborative projects, and advocacy campaigns.

Reallocation of Research resources:
To reassess the goals and ethics of research and development, and strengthen the role of women in decision making regarding the allocation of resources. This goal requires advocacy at all levels, and the creation of partnerships with, for example, UNESCO and the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development. OFAN members also exchange information about job opportunities.

Social Change:
To recognise the historical role and contributions of women in the development of science and technology, and to fully share the benefits of science so that they can be used as a common heritage for the benefit of all. OFAN members pursue this goal by making women's knowledge visible, in publications, exhibitions, and by enhancing strategic partnerships with research and development organisations.

The OFAN network was founded in 1994 and became visible for the first time at the NGO Forum in Houairou, during the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. There it organised a colourful ‘Once and Future Pavilion’ to show women's contributions to science and technology, throughout the ages and all over the world. After this experience, many organisations decided to join OFAN and to advocate jointly for the above goals.

OFAN's way of working is decentralised and is based upon member initiatives. It has a central secretariat in India, at SATWAC Foundation, and seven focal points. Currently, the regional focal points are based in Mexico at INCITA (Inventando ciencia y tecnologia accesibles), in Jamaica at Mekweseh (which is also responsible for the newsletter), in Kenya at FAWE (Federation of African Women Educationalists), in India at SATWAC (Science and Technology for Women and Children), in the Phillippines at Approtech, and in Fiji at Ecowoman. OFAN also has a focal point for electronic networking at WIGSAT in Canada (shuyer@wigsat.org). The network receives support from the United Nations Development Fund for Women, UNIFEM.

The ENERGIA network is a member of OFAN, and encourages other organisations to join in this common endeavour, as there is much work to be done regarding the accessibility and development of (renewable) energy technologies for women. Forthcoming activities will be organised around the UNESCO World Science Conference, GASAT 9, and EXPO 2000 etc..

For further information, you can visit the website at www.wigsat.org/ofan/ofan.html in English or www.laneta.apc.org/incita in Spanish. The website contains links to other initiatives as well as addresses of members in the different regions. You can also contact the secretariat via:
Jayshree Mehta, Presisent, c/o SATWAC Foundation, AI/22, Amrapali, Sukhipura,Paldi, Ahmedabad 380007, India; Tel (91-79) 412422; Fax (91-79) 663-6386; Email: satwac.gasat@lwahm.net