2008 L'ORÉAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE 10 YEARS OF ...

2008 L’ORÉAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE
10 YEARS OF THE L’ORÉAL-UNESCO AWARDS
CONTENTS
� L’ORÉAL-UNESCO Awards Laureates 1998-2008: fold-out of the 52 Laureates
� The L’ORÉAL-UNESCO Awards For Women in Science:
10 years of commitment p. 2
� The Panorama of Science: seen through the work of the Award Laureates p. 4
� Women and science: Status report p. 7
For further information or interviews with Laureates and Fellowship winners:
Media Relations Agency RUDER FINN
Frédérique IMPENNATI/Juliette BILLAROCH
Tel: +33 (0)1 56 81 15 00
Fax: +33 (0)1 43 25 06 06
fimpennati@ruderfinn.fr / jbillaroch@ruderfinn.fr
UNESCO
Press Office
Tel: +33 (0)1 45 68 17 48
Fax: +33 (0)1 45 68 56 52
www.unesco.org
L’ORÉAL
Direction of Partnerships & Philanthropy
Tel: +33 (0)1 47 56 42 55
Fax: +33 (0)1 47 56 42 59
Fwis-infos@dgc.loreal.com
Corporate Press Office
Tel: +33 (0)1 47 56 41 95
Fax: +33 (0)1 47 56 40 54
presse@loreal.com
L’ORÉAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE
www.forwomeninscience.com
1/9

THE L’ORÉAL-UNESCO AWARDS FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE:
10 years of commitment
Launched in 1998 by L’ORÉAL and UNESCO, the “For Women in Science” Award was the
first international award devoted to women in science. Today it is one element of a broad
program with an international focus on scientific vocations and dedicated to recognizing the
accomplishments of female researchers from every continent.
An Award and a program without precedent, to promote and encourage women who
contribute to scientific progress around the world.
Women all over the world are revolutionizing science. Sometimes ignored and even
discriminated against, women who may have only the image of Marie Curie as a role model
are today participating at the forefront of advances in genetics, physics, biology, and new
technologies. Now in its 10th year, the “L’ORÉAL-UNESCO For Women in Science” program
awards and supports these women who are contributing more and more to the scientific
advancements that are transforming our world. In 1998, L’ORÉAL and UNESCO presented
the first international awards.
“Ten years and 52 Laureates later, there is no doubt that this award is fulfilling its promise,”
says Béatrice Dautresme, vice president of L’Oréal, managing director of the L’Oréal
Corporate Foundation and one of the founders of the program. “The Laureates chosen for
their excellence by the international juries become ambassadors and role models for the next
generation of young women.”
Elizabeth Longworth, executive director of the office of the UNESCO Director-General,
concurs: “This unique partnership of L’ORÉAL and UNESCO is a significant initiative in the
promotion of women and consequently for science all over the world.”
More than just an Award, the program is building a community that helps future
generations of women scientists
This willingness to support future talents has always been the passion and the aim of the
program. From the beginning, L’ORÉAL and UNESCO were determined to create more than
a simple prize by ensuring that women scientists get the recognition they deserve. The
Laureates identified by the distinguished scientists who make up the international juries have
made this award one of the most prestigious in science.
L’ORÉAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE
www.forwomeninscience.com
2/9

Each year, more than 1, 000 scientists from around the world are asked to submit the names
of potential candidates for examination by the jury. Two juries review the candidatures, in life
sciences and material sciences in alternating years, presided by leading Nobel Prize
Laureates – biologists Christian de Duve and Gunter Blobel and physicist Pierre-Gilles de
Gennes, who was fervently involved with the awards until his death in May 2007.
Five Laureates from five continents, every year: a unique award that has recognized
52 exceptional women scientists in 10 years
From its very first year, the program “For Women in Science” chose to reward not one
Laureate, but five, one from each of the five continents. The Laureates each receive USD
100,000. “By allocating an award to each continent, it is possible to reward women working
under extremely varying conditions,” observes Christian de Duve, Nobel Prize in Medicine
1974 and Founding President of the Awards. “We have been given a magnificent panorama
of science at the service of humanity.”
120 International Fellowships to encourage scientific vocations
This commitment on a global scale has been reinforced by the creation of fellowship
programs that make the “For Women in Science” initiative an equally unprecedented source
of support. The stakes are high, because behind the successful Laureates is an increasingly
large generation of young women pursuing research. Their problem is not so much lack of
recognition, but rather a lack of necessary means to complete their studies and training.
Since 2000, 120 UNESCO-L’ORÉAL international Fellowships, worth up to $40,000 dollars
over two years, have been awarded to doctorate or post-doctorate women from 67 countries
to permit them to pursue their research abroad in some of the most prestigious laboratories
in the world.
Further expansion by the creation of National Fellowship programs
Programs of National Fellowships have also been introduced to help students pursue their
scientific careers. By end 2008, these local fellowship programs for women doing research in
their home countries will exist in over 50 countries.
The L’ORÉAL-UNESCO “For Women in Science” program is not only a benchmark, but has
become a catalyst for the promotion of women and science around the world.
L’ORÉAL-UNESCO For Women in Science 2008:
More than 500 women scientists have been distinguished by the Awards or supported in the
pursuit of their career since the creation of the L’ORÉAL-UNESCO partnership:
The L’ORÉAL-UNESCO Awards – 52 Laureates from 26 countries
The UNESCO-L’ORÉAL International Fellowships – 120 Fellows from 67 countries
The L’ORÉAL National Fellowships with the support of the UNESCO National
Commissions – 340 Fellows in 35 countries
(As of 6 March 2008)
L’ORÉAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE
www.forwomeninscience.com
3/9

THE PANORAMA OF SCIENCE:
SEEN THROUGH THE WORK OF THE AWARD LAUREATES
From molecular biology to the physical sciences, for the past ten years the Laureates of the
“For Women and Science” program have been grappling with the key challenges of cuttingedge
research.
Whether it’s the creation of vaccines or understanding the critical states of matter, the
research of the 52 Laureates (or the applications deriving from their research) will have a
direct impact on tomorrow’s world. As leading scientists, they are actively involved in major
projects and testify to the important but often unrecognized role played by women in the
world of science. Ten key areas emerge from an analysis of the Laureates’ research fields.
1. On the trail of tomorrow’s medicines.
While the 20 th century ushered in the antibiotic revolution, the 21 st has already seen the
launch of new medicines and treatments.
-In 2001, Joan Steitz was honored for elucidating the role played by tiny RNA molecules in
regulating genes. Her research could help in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases and the
treatment of rheumatic illness.
-In 2002, Mary Osborn was honored for the development of microscopy techniques based
on immunofluorescence which benefit the study of certain cancerous tumours and open up
the way for more carefully targeted treatments.
-In 2004, Philippa Marrack received an award for her discovery of “supergenes”. Her work
resulted in a better understanding of the human immune system and paved the way for
treatments for autoimmune diseases such as asthma and arthritis.
2. The preservation of biodiversity.
Whether we’re talking about fauna or flora, the preservation and propogation of species have
become key issues in modern science.
-In 1998, Gloria Montenegro was distinguished for her botanical work enabling plant
ecosystems to be reconstituted in areas affected by desertification or fire.
-In 2007, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim was honored for research that enabled a inventory to be
taken of the flora of Mauritius (her home country) and new plant-based medical applications
to be identified.
L’ORÉAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE
www.forwomeninscience.com
4/9

3. Controlling major epidemics.
More than a billion people are affected by epidemics, many of which are little known in more
developed countries. The Laureates are playing a key role in the struggle against these
afflictions.
-In 2002, Indira Nath was distingished for her research into leprosy which has helped to
contain the disease in India and may open the way for a future vaccine.
-In 2003, Lucia Mendonça Previato was honored for her research on Chagas’ disease,
which affects between 16 and 18 million people in South America.
-In 2006, Esther Orozco was rewarded for her contribution to a better understanding of the
spreading of parasitical intestinal infections caused by amoeba.
4. Better understanding and prevention of hereditary diseases.
Prenatal diagnosis is leading to a steady improvement in the prevention of pathological
conditions of genetic origin. The Laureates have made key contributions to this progress.
-In 2001, Adeyinka Gladys Falusi was honored for her work in molecular genetics that has
benefited the prenatal diagnosis of hereditary blood diseases of the in Africa.
-In 2003, Christine Petit was distingished for being the first scientist to identify the genetic
origins of deafness in children, opening up the way for better molecular diagnosis.
-In 2006, Habiba Bouhamed Chaabouni was honored for her work in Tunisia which
enabled more effective study and prevention of genetic diseases, often related to issues of
consanguinity.
5. Better understanding of reproduction and evolution.
New reproductive techniques have transformed the lives of more than 300,000 infertile
couples throughout the world. Research is leading to a better understanding of the
mechanisms of reproduction and evolution.
-In 2001, Anne McLaren was honored for her pioneering work in reproductive biology which
paved the way for the first in vitro fertilizations.
-In 2006, Jennifer Graves was distinguished for her work on the transformation of sex
chromosomes which is essential to an understanding of gender differentiation mechanisms in
mammals.
6. Unravelling the secrets of our DNA.
From the way DNA works to the recent identification of micro-DNA, genetic research was a
major revolution of the 20 th century… and of the 21 st century too.
-In 2000, Margarita Salas was honored for research that helped explain DNA’s reproductive
mechanisms.
-In 2000, Tuneko Okazaki was rewarded for her work on retrograde DNA replication. She
contributed to the identification of key fragments in the DNA replication mechanism, called
"Okazaki fragments," which in the future may be used to develop the first artificial human
chromosomes.
-In 2008, V. Narry Kim was recognized for shedding light on the role played by RNA
molecules in the transmission of genetic information in cells. Her research is expected to
result in new applications in the field of biotechnology.
L’ORÉAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE
www.forwomeninscience.com
5/9

7. The struggle against aging.
A new case of Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed somewhere in the world every seven
seconds. Modern science has taken up the challenge – both where geriatric diseases are
concerned as well as in the fight against the aging process itself.
-In 2004, Nancy Ip was honored for elucidating the role of proteins in the activation and
development of neurons. Her work has helped in the fight against neurogenerative diseases
such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
-In 2006, Christine Van Broeckhoven was distinguished for her work in the field of biology
that made a substantial contribution to our understanding of Alzheimer’s and other
neurodegenerative diseases.
-In 2008, Elizabeth Blackburn was rewarded for her research into telomeres, which
influence cell division throughout an organism’s entire lifespan. Knowledge of telomeres
plays a key role in the study of human aging mechanisms and the development of cancers.
8. Inventing the materials of the future.
Lighter, more resistant, more intelligent: modern physics is constantly discovering new
material properties and applications.
-In 2003, Johanna Levelt Sengers was rewarded for her research into the critical states of
matter, essential to an understanding the transitional phases of elements such as water. In
future, this knowledge could help in the more efficient storage or exploitation of certain
materials.
-In 2005, Dominique Langevin was honored for her work on foams which opens up the way
to the development of lighter, more resilient materials.
-In 2007, Mildred Dresselhaus received an award for predicting new carbon states and
contributing to the design of the nanomaterials of tomorrow.
9. Moving into new imaging territory.
Ever more precise and powerful, imaging techniques allow for the exploration of the infinitely
small, the discovery of new applications and the improvement of detection and analysis.
-In 2003, Fang-Hua Li was honored for developing innovative applications in electronic
crystallography which allow for the improved analysis of high-resolution microscope images.
-In 2005, Zohra Ben Lakhdar was distinguished for developing optical techniques that
improve the detection of phenomena such as atmospheric pollution.
10. New dimensions in microelectronics.
Miniaturized components and computers of vastly superior calculation capacity: physics is
promising a new era of microelectronics in the 21 st century.
-In 2005, Fumiko Yonezawa was honored for her work on the properties of glass. Her
research paves the way for the development of new generations of semiconductors.
-In 2005, Myriam Sarachik was distinguished for her work on the properties of conductors
and insulators, which contributed to research into future quantum computers.
L’ORÉAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE
www.forwomeninscience.com
6/9

WOMEN AND SCIENCE: STATUS REPORT
A lack of interest among girls, the scarce recognition given to female researchers – women
are still not on equal terms in science. A report on the current state of affairs.
1- Scientific discrimination
Research is traditionally a male-dominated area, and there is still a very long way to go
before there is parity. Women are underrepresented and undervalued.
Women researchers are under-represented.
“Women should not have to choose between starting a family and becoming respected
scientists. I am convinced that both can be done – and done very well.” Ana María López-
Colomé (L’ORÉAL-UNESCO 2002 Award Laureate, Latin America)
According to the 2006 UNESCO report*, women account for only 27% of researchers
worldwide. This average hides the enormous disparities between countries and continents.
For example, the percentage is 46% in South America, 29% in Africa and 15% in Asia. The
European Commission* has revealed that in Europe, 32% of state laboratory employees and
only 18% of private laboratory staff are female.
Merit is seldom acknowledged
Scientific prizes are rarely awarded to women. The Nobel prize-winner is usually a man. Of
the 521 prizes for science and medicine awarded between 1903 and 2007, only 12 women
were distinguished: 7 in medicine, 3 in chemistry (Marie Curie, her daughter Irène Joliot-
Curie and Dorothy Hodgkin) and 2 in physics (Marie Curie and Marie Goeppert-Mayer).
Of the 59 gold medals awarded by the CNRS (French National Council for Scientific
Research), two went to women. The French Academy of Sciences has only 30 women
among its 494 members.
Limited career prospects
"Even now women with exceptional qualities for leadership sense from their parents,
teachers and peers that they must be harder-working, accomplish more and yet are less
likely to receive appropriate rewards than are men.” Rosalyn Yalow (Nobel Prize in Medicine
1977)
L’ORÉAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE
www.forwomeninscience.com
7/9

The higher you look in the scientific hierarchy, the lower the percentages of women. This is
the glass ceiling effect which blocks women in the pursuit of careers. According to Eurostat*,
women represent 50.4% of personnel in the sciences, but account for only 29% of engineers
and researchers. In France, 38% of research fellows, 22% of research directors and only
15% of the heads of research institutions are women. According to the French organization
“Femmes et mathématiques," in an institution such as the National Center for Scientific
Research (CNRS), men are 1.6 times more likely to progress than women. In universities,
this rate may climb as high as 2.9 in chemistry and 3.8 in biology.
2- The crisis in scientific vocations
“Girls often struggle to find examples of female scientists to whom they can relate. If you
want to be a female singer, there are success stories all around you. However, female
researchers’ achievements are rarely seen elsewhere than in specialist publications.” Fumiko
Yonezawa (L’ORÉAL-UNESCO 2005 Award Laureate, Asia-Pacific)
Overview
Research is the key to innovation and growth. European laboratories will need to recruit
700,000 new researchers by 2010. However, to meet this need, fewer and fewer students
are interested in responding to these opportunities. Boys are losing interest in scientific
studies and girls are not filling the gap.
The facts
� According to the OECD*, the number of doctorates awarded for sciences and
technology decreased by over 2% per year in the USA and Canada, and over 4% per
year in France between 1993 and 2003. France has lost ten thousand science
students over the last five years. There was a more significant decline for hard
sciences (physics, chemistry and electronics) than for the life sciences.
� The fall-off in numbers is particularly strong among girls. While they account for 45%
of science students in the final year before the baccalauréat, no more than 25% go on
to enrol at engineering colleges and 27% opt to pursue careers in research.
� What is the reason for this? Science subjects in schools are a channel of excellence
for boys and role models for scientific achievement are almost always male. This
cultural burden was highlighted in an OECD* report last year: “Girls often
underestimate their own performance and ability to pursue studies in technical
sciences”. This assumption is confirmed by a recent survey conducted in French
secondary schools: 82% of boys believe that they are capable of pursuing scientific
studies compared with only 53% of girls.
3- Supportive measures for women
”Public recognition is rare for female researches like ourselves. However, it enables us to
relate to young women and become advocates for all girls interested in science.” Joanne
Chory (L’ORÉAL-UNESCO 2000 Award Laureate, North America)
Overview
The L’ORÉAL-UNESCO partnership “For Women in Science” initiated a pioneering measure.
Initiatives, programs and networks have been springing up ever since. These all indicate a
new level of awareness.
L’ORÉAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE
www.forwomeninscience.com
8/9

The facts
� In its ‘Education for all by 2015’ program, the UN set itself the goal of eliminating
disparities between the sexes at all levels of education in the next ten years.
� The European Commission pledged in 2006 to achieve “40% representation for
women at all levels of implementing and managing research programs”. It has set up
three resource and information centers within the European Union for women in
science as well as a dedicated website (http://www.eurosur.org/wide/EU/Trade/Roadmap.htm)
� The European Commission pledged in 2006 to achieve “40% representation for
women at all levels of implementing and managing research programs”. It has set up
three resource and information centers within the European Union for women in
science as well as a dedicated website. (http://www.eurosur.org/wide/EU/Trade/Roadmap.htm)
� There are an increasing number of networks worldwide promoting careers in science.
For example, the TWOWS (Third World Organization for Women in Science) offers
training to women in developing countries, INWES (International Network of Women
Engineers and Scientists), and the Women for Science organization in the United
States conducts numerous awareness-raising campaigns in schools.
� In 1998, the L’ORÉAL-UNESCO partnership “For Women in Science” was the first
international science award for women. In France, the December 2006 report of the
“Committee for professional equality between men and women in higher education
and research,” created by the Ministry of Research, emphasized the necessity of
“awarding prizes to publicize women’s scientific achievements as widely as possible
through role models”.
*References: —————————————————————
� UNESCO Science & Technology Bulletin No. 3 "Women in science” : underrepresented
and undermeasured, November 2006 www.uis.unesco.org
� “She Figures 2006 – Women and Science Statistics and Indicators”, European
Commission
www.ec.europa.eu/research/sciencesociety/pdf/she_figures_2006-en.pdf
� Inter Academy Advisory Report “Women for Science” 2006
www.interacademycouncil.net
� OECD ”Encouraging young girls into Science and Technology Fields”, 2006
ww.oecd.org/dataoecd/30/56/37845375.pdf
Women and science in France
� In 2003, there were 66,000 female researchers or engineers in France -- 32% of the
total number of researchers.
� 2/3 of female researchers work in the public sector. They account for 33% of the
workforce compared with 20% in the private sector.
� France takes a mid-ranking position in Europe below heavyweights such as Portugal
and Greece and above lower-ranking countries such as the Netherlands and
Luxembourg.
L’ORÉAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE
www.forwomeninscience.com
9/9