Since his appointment as Director General last year, Mr Grossi has been actively advancing gender equality at the IAEA and beyond. Two examples of this, which would satisfy the IGC S.M.A.R.T. commitments, are: his pledge to reach gender parity among the IAEA’s professional staff by 2025; and his launch of the ambitious annual Maria Sklodowska Curie Fellowship programme, under which the first 100 female winners in November were awarded fellowships to finance their Master’s degrees in nuclear subjects.
“Through supporting women studying in the nuclear field, such as nuclear sciences and technologies and non-proliferation studies, we can encourage the next generation of female nuclear experts,” Mr Grossi said when announcing the initiative.
At the IAEA, Mr Grossi has introduced gender-balanced short lists and reducing bias in the recruiting process.
“In attracting more women experts to the Agency and accelerating the appointment of women where there is low representation, the aim of achieving gender parity − 50 percent women and 50 percent men − is possible,” he said.
Meanwhile, he has encouraged a more balanced representation of women and men in programme activities, including when candidates are selected for fellowships and training. Throughout his inaugural year as Director General, Mr Grossi has actively encouraged not only IAEA managers, but also Member States to consider the gender balance of their activities and candidates.