Global Women’s Forum Emphasises Women's Role In Making Science Accessible For All

During the Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024, Dr. Hayat Sindi shared insights on how women can effectively adapt science to serve the most deprived communities. In a session titled ‘Game-Changer,’ she discussed her early inspiration to pursue science. Dr. Sindi, who founded the Institute for Quality (iQ) and serves as a UNESCO Goodwill ambassador for STEM, emphasised her dedication to bridging science and society.

Dr. Sindi's passion lies in social innovation and healthcare technology for low-resource markets. She highlighted challenges like making costly innovations accessible to millions who can't afford them. Ethical considerations in global health policy also became apparent to her. She stressed the importance of affordable medical technology and diagnostics, citing examples like COVID vaccines and CAT scans.

Dr. Sindi believes women are crucial in transforming healthcare scenarios due to their empathy and concern. She noted that more women are needed not only as policymakers but also as entrepreneurs and investors. Their presence can drive significant policy changes, which are essential for advancing social innovation.

Reflecting on her academic journey through prestigious institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, MIT, and Stanford, Dr. Sindi spoke about overcoming challenges such as self-doubt and language barriers. Her determination was fuelled by the question, "What is my imprint on this universe?" This commitment underpins her support for women's empowerment.

Dr. Sindi mentioned that being one of the first women appointed to Saudi Arabia's Shura Council briefly shifted her focus from medical research. However, it highlighted the importance of locally developed policies for research advancement. Customising tech solutions for hard-pressed communities is another challenge where women can make a significant impact.

The cost of COVID vaccines averages around $120, with potential side effects being a concern. Similarly, CAT scans are expensive and pose risks like cell damage. Dr. Sindi argued that reducing these costs and risks would benefit humanity greatly.

She concluded by emphasising that women’s involvement in diverse roles is vital for driving policy shifts and advancing social innovation effectively.

With inputs from WAM