Accra (Greater Accra), 5th July 99 ?

The Ninth International Conference of the Gender and Science and Technology Association (GASAT) opens in Accra today with about 300 participants from 40 countries in attendance.

The conference will discuss obstacles to the removal of barriers to equal opportunity in education and employment openings, especially to jobs in science and technology Mrs. Georgina Quaisie, conference conveyor, told a press conference in Accra.

The conference, under the theme: "From Policy to Action in Gender Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the 21st Century", is sponsored by a number of organisations, including USAID, UNICEF, UNESCO and the ministry of education.

Participants will examine action that has been taken since the first women's conference at Beijing to close the gender gap in science-related fields.

GASAT, which is made up of people with gender concern in science and technology, aims at creating awareness for women and girls towards their advancement in science and technology.

It also aims to bring together educators, researchers, policy makers and other users of products of science and technology.

Mrs. Quaisie said the conference is expected to raise the awareness of women's contribution to the management of the environment, the world's natural resources and wastes, and develop collaborative research and action on projects involving local, national and international networks.

Current issues concerning mathematics and science education policy will be assessed and programmes developed to improve upon them both in Ghana and elsewhere.

Other issues are gender equity in science and technology education, making science responsive to the needs of society, relating better with local knowledge systems and addressing ethical issues in science and technology.

Mrs. Quaisie said GASAT 12 years ago opened a technology clinic for girls, which is well patronised adding that women's knowledge in science needs to be broadened since they are not only doing women's job but are gradually moving into other areas.

Mrs. Cecilia Pomery, Director, Girls Science Education Unit under GES, said girls' participation in science has increased in recent times.

She said there are trained teachers in every district, provided with manuals to help make science more girl-friendly.