MM01: V: SESAME: a piece of peace for women scientists in the Middle East – smashed stereotypes, changed narratives, and accelerated recognition

Thu. March 7, 5:30 a.m. – 5:42 a.m. CST

Virtual Room 01

Session Scope: "The session is aligned with the International Women's Day 2024 that is celebrated annually on March 8. It is commonly problematic to argue with the fact that women can be seriously underestimated when it comes to science careers. Confined by societal standpoints and families' inherited traditions, thousands of women aspiring to fly in the wide-open sky of science do helplessly bury their dreams in silence. Yet again, the fortunate fighters, who succeeded to overcome such first boundaries, are faced by additional hidden complications beneath a camouflaged equality and inclusion. This in turn, may terminate or postpone any probable accomplishment in pursuing a scientific and/or academic career path. Bearing in mind that the psychological and mental load is doubled as countless women scientists are continuously demanded to prove themselves twice: to the scientific society among peers, and to own families. In this regard, and based on fair reviews and personal experiences, the Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East, SESAME, is appraised for being a nondiscriminatory opportunity to realize the striving ambitions in a thought-provoking, unprejudiced, encouraging, and above all, in a tolerant and a welcoming gateway that supports human rights and promotes gender-equality in the finest conceivable and possible practices. SESAME exhibits an establishment of integrated efforts in backing equality, strengthening self-determination, and reassuring justice. The session highlights SESAME's pivotal role in advancing the capabilities of its scientists leading to a distinctively transformative impact regardless of gender. Herein, and until we succeed to change the "woman scientist" flag, testaments of eight women scientists from the Middle East region and beyond, will be presented exemplifying the power of persistence and resilience in embracing downfalls, mastering challenges, giving a kind hand to each other, and celebrating even the slightest rewarding triumphs and milestones."