by admin | Sep 27, 2023 | Events
The Global Launch of the Commission report on Women, Power, and Cancer, was co-hosted by GENDRO, alongside other partners, at the Geneva Graduate Institute. The report investigates the intersection of women, power, and cancer, beyond the scope of “women’s cancers” and explores various aspects of cancer experiences among women, considering factors such as gender bias and discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The Lancet Commission’s approach is firmly grounded in intersectional feminism. This framework places women’s concerns, voices, and needs at the core of its work. Importantly, this approach doesn’t exclude men but aims to generate evidence that truly reflects the complexity and diversity of women’s experiences.
The launch event featured presentations of key findings and recommendations, by Dr Ophira Ginsburg, NICC, Lead Commissioner, aimed at inspiring real-world action for transformational change. Following her, Dr Shirin Heidari, president of GENDRO and a commissioner to the report, offered remarks on the critical contribution of the intersectional feminist approach to advancing cancer research, prevention, diagnosis and care. She emphasized the need to bring feminism back into conversations about health, especially cancer. Feminism can serve as a powerful lens through which to examine health disparities, and strive for social change and justice.
Distinguished speakers joining the panels, included Ophira Ginsburg, Shirin Heidari, Isabelle Soerjomataram, Verna Vanderpuye, Nirmala Bhoo-Pathy, Somesh Kumar, Jennifer Moodley, Karla Unger-Saldaña, Jérôme Salomon, Monica Bertagnolli, Kalipso Chalkidou, Lynette Denny, Bente Mikkelsen, and Micaela Serafini facilitated by Vania Coelho Wisdom and Richard Horton, The Lancet.
Event website: here.
Recording: (Embed): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QFGdyGJD_0
Commission Report: here.
The Commission website: https://womenandcancercommission.org
by admin | Jun 2, 2023 | Events
2-6 June 2023 | Organiser : American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2023
As part of an effort through the Lancet Commission on Women, Power and Cancer, an analysis was carried out to examine the extent to which the top-ranking oncology journals incorporated their SAGER guidelines or other languages regarding the inclusion of sex and gender considerations in the instructions to authors of the journals. The findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), one of the largest conferences centered around conquering cancer through a threefold approach involving research, education, and the promotion of the highest quality and equitable patient care. ASCO focuses on promoting lifelong learning for oncology professionals, supporting cancer research, enhancing the environment for oncology practice, ensuring access to quality cancer care, fostering a global network of oncology expertise, and educating patients with cancer.
Event website: ASCO Conference 2023
by admin | May 19, 2023 | Events
19 May 2023 | Organiser : MINDtheGEPs
In May 2023, trainers from various organizations partnered with MINDtheGEPs gathered in Belgrade to deliberate on gender considerations in scientific publication, encompassing both research themes and teams. The workshop aimed to formulate guidelines for gendering scientific publications to inform the European research community. GENDRO’s president, Dr Shirin Heidari, was invited to provide keynote regarding the significance of the SAGER guidelines in addressing gender biases in research and discussing the importance of such considerations with other distinguished speakers including Dr Isabel Goldman, I&D officer at Cell Press, and Londa Schiebinger the John L. Hinds Professor of History of Science in the History Department at Stanford University and Director of the EU/US Gendered Innovations in Science, Health & Medicine, Engineering, and Environment Project.
During the workshop, the European Commission’s stance on gender equality in research was discussed, setting the stage for the development of the guidelines. The session covered perspectives on gender equality for researchers and management levels, including insights on gender dynamics in teams and themes from publishers and editors. The training involved a workshop segment where participants delved into different perspectives, capturing the viewpoints of students, junior and senior researchers in SSH and STEM, reviewers, editors, and gender equality educators.
Event website: Gendering scientific publications – second MINDtheGEPs Train the Trainers workshop
by admin | Apr 19, 2023 | Events
19 April 2023 | Organiser: INSPIRE
INSPIRE is Europe’s Centre of Excellence focused on inclusive gender equality in research and innovation. It serves as a hub where scholars, equality experts, practitioners, and trainers can connect, share resources, and collaborate on new initiatives. Twenty-eight participants, including GENDRO members, took part in the workshop in Berlin, Germany. They engaged in creative exploration and reflection on their vision for an inclusive, gender-equal future in research and innovation. Organized by Dr Elizabeth Pollitzer, co-founder and Director of Portia, and guided by Dr. Carolin Ossenkop and Dr. Claartje Vinkenburg. The workshop facilitated discussions, idea exchanges, and various activities aimed at shaping a positive trajectory for gender equality in academia.
Event website: Inspire Holds High Level Workshop in Berlin
by admin | Feb 2, 2023 | Events
2 February 2023 | Organisers: GENDRO and CIOMS
GENDRO and CIOMS jointly convened a meeting with key stakeholders, including the World Medical Association, Council of Europe, World Health Organization, representatives from research ethics committees, research institutions, and the pharmaceutical industry. The focus was on the crucial role of Research Ethics Committees (RECs) in addressing gender bias in research with human participants, using the SAGER guidelines as a valuable tool. CIOMS’ Secretary General Dr. Lembit Rägo initiated a dialogue on the role of RECs in strengthening sex and gender considerations in health research. GENDRO’s President, Dr. Shirin Heidari, underscored the concern of inadequate incorporation of sex and gender considerations in research and credited the success of the SAGER guidelines in raising awareness and improving reporting. Emphasizing the responsibility of every gatekeeper in the research ecosystem, including RECs, Dr. Heidari stressed the need for proper integration of sex and gender considerations throughout health research.
Dr. Abha Saxena, an independent bioethicist, presented findings from a scoping review conducted as part of GENDRO’s working group on gender and research ethics, revealing a lack of evidence on sufficient attention to sex and gender dimensions in the work of RECs.
The meeting facilitated consensus-building on the importance of a unified approach among all stakeholders in the research ecosystem to enhance the inclusion and meaningful consideration of sex and gender in research. The meeting concluded with proposed actions and a collaborative path forward, committed to by GENDRO and CIOMS.
Read the full report here.
