SIGN – Sweden India Gender Network
SIGN is a network which aims to link researchers and organizations in India and Sweden, in order to share knowledge on Gender, Work, OSH (Occupational Health and Safety) and Environment in both countries for long-term collaboration.
This knowledge dissemination platform is intended to support methodological development, and facilitate research between members of the network, which comprise of institutions, NGOs, as well as universities in India and Sweden. WOMEN WORK & HEALTH INITIATIVE (WWHI) I together with members of the Work Science Dept. of the University of Gothenburg have been instrumental in establishing the network. WWHI had visited Sweden twice in the run-up to, and at the planning stage of this unique network, which seeks to connect research with practice.
The most important research areas of interest that have been identified by the network are: Gender and Leadership roles, Work sex-segregation patterns and gendered structures and processes in India and Sweden.
In the long term, SIGN intends to contribute to increased gender equality and a sustainable working life.
It has been decided that the most effective and important role WWHI will hold is to be the coordinating and facilitating body of the network. SIGN is a membership platform, which will be sustained through the contribution of members in writing applications for funding of research and advocacy on gender, work, health and leadership (in the private and public sector.)
Sectors of particular interest to public and private sector participants of the network are:
Health Care
Education
ICT companies
Manufacturing Industries
All subjects of interest will be seen through a ‘gender lens’, meaning that all of SIGN’s efforts will naturally include a gendered perspective and be gender-mainstreamed.
SIGN’s Core Group is:
Professor Annika Härenstam, Department of Work Science, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
PhD Birgitta Jordansson, Head of Department of Work Science, Gothenburg University,
PhD Karin Allard, Department of Psychology, Gothenburg, Sweden
Ass. Prof. Hanna Westberg, Stockholm
Dr. Sunita Kaistha, Associate Professor, University of Delhi College and Women Work and Health Initiative, Delhi, India
Amita Sahaya, Social Entrepreneur and Women Work and Health Initiative, Delhi, India
Steering Committee:
Core Group members and also the following:
Professor Vibhuti Patel, Director, PGSR & Head, Dept of Economics ,Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University (SNDT) Mumbai.
Professor Surinder Jaswal, Dean, School of Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), Mumbai.
Professor Savita Singh, Director, School of Gender &Development Studies, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi.
Professor Urmi Biswas, Department of Psychology, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara.
Funding so far:
Planning Grant from SIDA, India
Guest Research Grant from Gothenburg University (GU)
Further interested partners in India:
Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai (TISS)
SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai
Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat
Knowledge dissemination thus far:
Presentation: ‘Gender and Leadership in decision-making processes’ by Amita Sahaya & Sunita Kaistha at School of Gender Studies, GU
Presentation: ‘Gender, Ethnicity and Class in the Labour Market’ by Sunita Kaistha and Amita Sahaya for students of the Department of Work Science, GU
-Seminar by Sunita Kaistha and Amita Sahaya at the Department of Sociology, GU
-Lecture by Professor Annika Härenstam and Karin Allard for students at the Department of Psychology, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat, India
- A seminar with Swedish researchers and 25 women managers at Newgen IT company in Delhi
-Workshop with researchers at TISS, Mumbai
-Two workshops with researchers at GU