Women ICARDA Rabat Wins CGIAR’s Inclusive Team Award 2024

WIR was established a year ago when PhD student Houda Bousselham, research assistant Hafssa Kabbaj, and post-doc Anna Backhaus, were inspired to formalize their efforts to close the gender gap. Starting modestly, the group has evolved into a network comprising 20-30 women at ICARDA Rabat. Their focus includes showcasing female scientists' achievements, supporting student growth, and creating safe spaces for communication and support. In their inaugural year, WIR organized 5 seminars featuring women researchers from the UK, Germany, Australia, and Morocco. The group's training sessions enhanced students' soft and technical skills such as presentation, application writing, and computational skills.

The CGIAR Inclusive Workplace Awards recognize individuals, leaders, and teams exemplifying CGIAR's ethical values and significantly contributing to Gender Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (GDI) in CGIAR workplaces. This year, CGIAR received over 120 nominations globally, with each submission evaluated by a diverse panel of judges.

Securing the esteemed GCI Oscars is a significant accomplishment for WIR, bolstering their efforts in advocating for gender equality and women's visibility in the workplace. The team anticipates expanding its initiatives to additional ICARDA locations and partnering with more stakeholders within the CGIAR network to catalyze beneficial transformations.

During the awards ceremony, Safaa Ouahid said “Remember that you don't have to be a woman to stand for gender equality. Remember that you don't have to be a student to advocate for their rights. And if you are in a position of influence, please remember that one step from you can be a giant leap for womankind.” 

ICARDA extends heartfelt congratulations to WIR, wishing the network continued success in their future endeavours.