On the Occasion of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a Report by the Doing Research Assessment (DRA) Offers a Contrasting yet Promising Portrait of Scientific Research in Tunisia
The report, developed by the Global Development Network and The Applied Social Science Forum (ASSF), highlights the evolution of women in science in Tunisia, where women dominate research, but structural challenges persist in transforming their expertise into public decision-making levers.
A Manifest Female Dominance
The DRA report reveals that 64% of social science researchers in Tunisia are women. The numbers speak for themselves, and the feminization of research is a growing reality in Tunisia. The report also proves that more than half of social science research is conducted by women, with 68% of these female researchers being under 46 years old. These figures reflect the image of a young, brilliant, and engaged female generation carrying essential knowledge.
An Explosion of Doctoral Degrees
Between the academic years 2013-2014 and 2022-2023, the presence of women in doctoral cycles in Tunisia has significantly progressed. The most notable increase is in the field of Educational Sciences, which tops the list with a six-fold multiplication of female graduates, from 460 to 2,785 in just ten years. Social Sciences and Behavioral Studies also show a significant increase, from 1,770 to 2,609 female graduates. In contrast, the field of Law and Political Sciences exhibits more moderate but consistent growth, with 2,609 female graduates in 2022-2023 compared to 2,104 a decade earlier.
Paradox and Disparity
Although the number of women with doctoral degrees in social sciences has seen spectacular progress over the past decade, access to high-responsibility positions and time devoted to research remain disproportionate. This is the first finding to emerge from the study conducted by the Global Development Network and the ASSF. This finding proves that gender disparities persist in Tunisia. In international research projects, Tunisian women excel as primary researchers, accounting for 40% of primary researchers compared to 35% for men. However, the report reveals a surprising finding: despite being better represented in international research projects, this does not seem to work in their favor at the national level, where reality does not entirely conform to their qualifications. Tunisian female researchers access high-responsibility positions less often than their male counterparts.
Shortcomings and Recommendations
The report proves female qualification but highlights a major obstacle: the time devoted to research. With women allocating no more than 27% of their time to research, compared to 40% for their male counterparts, these figures demonstrate that even though Tunisian women excel, they do not utilize their full potential. The primary obstacle remains the effective time allocated to research, proving that family responsibilities still weigh heavily on women. In this context, the Global Development Network and the ASSF advocate for better conditions and more consideration for women. The report proposes concrete solutions to address these inequalities, emphasizing the need to implement flexibility policies to support women in academia and establish a better balance between professional and personal life.
A Pioneering Role for Tunisia
The study also highlights that Tunisia plays a pioneering role in transforming social science research, with a growing production but limited public diffusion and impact on policies. To bridge this gap, the Global Development Network and the ASSF recommend reinforcing mediation between research and public decision-making, improving training, and implementing incentives that value the societal impact of research.
Read the full study and recommendations on: https://lnkd.in/dhqupKbV Also read: Tunisia: Charles Nicolle inaugurates robotic surgery for hysterectomy
