Women in Malaria Mission Statement:

To help address gender inequalities by empowering, connecting, and supporting women and other discriminated genders working in the field of malaria.

Why is WiM important?

The Women in Malaria “WiM” initiative was founded in 2018 to address the barriers, biases, and stereotyping, that women scientists, and other discriminated genders, face on a daily basis and throughout their careers by simply being women or non-binary. Gender inequality and pervasive gender biases are deeply embedded in research culture, individual and collective mindsets, and behaviours. Inequality and bias persist despite wide recognition that they preclude establishing healthy and diverse work environments for all – not just for women and other minorities.

How does WiM help?

Increasing visibility

To increase visibility by providing personal and academic profiles of women in the fields of parasitology and malaria research through our website (database of professionals) and on social media, so that they can be role models for others. The database is also a resource of potential speakers, reviewers, panelists, experts, etc, that stakeholders can access to play their part in overcoming the underrepresentation of women.

Empowering

To empower women through networking using our Slack workspace and e-mail list, in which members announce courses, conferences, jobs and funding opportunities, as well as to share experiences, difficulties, and solutions about the challenges of career progression, balancing family with work, etc.

Creating awareness

To create awareness about underrepresentation, sterotyping, and gender bias at conferences, at workshops, and in the media, providing resources and materials that contribute to the creation of discrimination-free environments with a positive culture at laboratories and research centers.

Support

To support women scientists in LMICs by sharing resources and making opportunities more accessible, as well as providing career mentorship and training.

WiM is hosted by the The University of Edinburgh, UK. The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336, VAT Registration Number GB 592 9507 00, and is acknowledged by the UK authorities as a “Recognised body” which has been granted degree awarding powers.