Empowering women in geospatial information technology

Frequent transformative developments in the fields of Earth observation (EO) and geospatial information technology (GIT) build more possibilities in the fields of spatial sciences, natural resource management, landscape mapping, and strategic planning and decision making. Although women play a vital role in environmental management and decision making, their engagement and participation in the EO/GIT workforce is very low in Asia, especially in the countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region.

In this context, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has been organizing the “Empowering women in geospatial information technology” training under its SERVIR Hindu Kush Himalaya (SERVIR-HKH) Initiative for the past two years. The training course, extended exclusively to young women from Nepal, provides them with theoretical as well as practical knowledge in the use of EO data and GIT using real-world examples from the HKH region. In its third iteration and in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this intensive four-day course is being offered online to eligible women in Nepal.

The training will cover a wide range of topics, including principles of geographic information science (GIS), basic concepts of remote sensing (RS), image calculation and spectral indices, and mapping using open source tools to solve emerging environmental problems.

Objectives

This training aims to train young women from Nepal on the use of EO data and GIT, empowering and encouraging them to consider careers in GIT and its applications. This will support ICIMOD’s efforts to bridge the gender gap in the GIT field.

Expected Outcomes

Upon completion of the training, the participants will have a better understanding of the concepts and applications of GIS and RS, which will enable them to use the knowledge gained professionally.

Expected Participants

A total of 20 young women participants with an academic background in the fields of geography, science, survey, and/or information technology are expected to participate in this training.

For agenda and other details, please check on this link http://servir.icimod.org/events/empowering-women-in-geospatial-information-technology