One point was made clear in the discussion on 24 October about
"Women as Creators and Users of ITS": technology is still mainly
dominated by men. It is true that a change seems to be coming soon,
but nevertheless, existing technologies that serve as instruments
for further research, were mostly developed by men. All discussion
participants (Eveline Grassegger (bmvit), Christine Tissot (AIT),
Christine Zach, Martin Russ (AustriaTech), Alexandra Millonig
(AIT), Silvia Leodolter (AK), Bente Knoll (bnk) and one member each
of Salzburg Research und Joanneum Research, Susanne Wolf-Eberl as
presenter) agreed that men and women tend to approach things in
different ways. While one part has completed most of the
development, it has naturally designed these instruments for its
own needs and around its own ideas. This may lead to some - not
always visible - barriers for the other group to deploy these
instruments themselves.
Because of this and because of the fact that women make up the
bigger part of public transport users, all participants claimed
that women have to create more impact in research and development
and have to be given more influence as a target group. This is the
primary scope of "wimen" (Women In Mobility & Energy,
Environment Network), the board of which was attending the
discussion as well.
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