Gender Equality Plan of the Silesian University of Technology for 2022-2024

The Silesian University of Technology for the first time introduces the Gender Equality Plan, a strategic document whose primary objective is to build a diverse working and learning environment free of discrimination and prejudice.

The Plan aims to help identify and overcome further obstacles to gender equality, inclusiveness and diversity. It also summarises the experience of recent years, helping to develop specific actions aimed at achieving tangible results in this area in a relatively short period of time. Its implementation, through a systematic series of internally coherent actions over three years from 2022 to 2024 - should result in a further reduction in gender inequality and thereby enhance the full participation of all groups in the life of the academic community.

By adopting the Gender Equality Plan, the Silesian University of Technology is part of the European Commission's broader strategy to strengthen the European Research Area (ERA) and gender equality planned for 2020-2025 and, at the same time, meets the mandatory requirement to participate in Horizon programme.

The objectives and actions forming the essence of the Gender Equality Plan 2022-2024 have been developed by the appointed team on the basis of conclusions from the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data in the areas of employment structure, participation of women and men in decision-making and management bodies, salary levels in the same positions, career and academic development, as well as communication of university-wide gender equality experiences.

– We will try to raise awareness and, above all, encourage and motivate underrepresented groups to participate in all University activities," says Professor Marek Pawełczyk, Vice Rector for Science and Development of the Silesian University of Technology.

The Gender Equality Plan should be considered as a strategic document, the implementation of which responds to the real needs of members of the academic community, including in particular:

• to strengthen a culture of equal opportunities and combat gender stereotypes with the support of underrepresented communities,
• aiming for gender balance in senior positions and decision-making bodies by promoting good practices and developing leadership skills among women,
• supporting gender balance in recruitment and career development,
• combating all forms of gender-based violence, including sexual and psychological harassment.

– Many actions have been formulated as part of the Plan, and the responsibility for them has been assigned to persons holding managerial positions and to relevant organisational units. The next step is to implement the undertaken declarations and monitor the effects – adds the Vice Rector Pawełczyk.

Strategic objectives of the Gender Equality Plan: 

• OBJECTIVE 1. Promoting an organisational culture based on respect for diversity and appreciation of differences, and eliminating gender stereotypes.
• OBJECTIVE 2. Supporting the balance between career and family life, including creating an inclusive working environment and strengthening the structures that can facilitate these goals.
• OBJECTIVE 3. To increase gender balance in decision-making bodies and processes, at different levels of the organisational structure of the Silesian University of Technology.
• OBJECTIVE 4. Supporting processes that promote equal access to recruitment and career development opportunities, including promotions.
• OBJECTIVE 5. Promoting the integration of the gender dimension in research, education programmes, courses and training and in the innovations implemented.
• OBJECTIVE 6. Raise awareness of issues related to countering various forms of gender-based violence, including sexual harassment.

Introduced Gender Equality Plan also implements the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular: