Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1285850
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 6 SEPTEMBER 2020 10 NEWS MILAINE BUHAGIAR WHY do the sciences and tech- nology fields appear to attract fewer women than men? It's a question that Malta's Chamber of Scientists is trying to answer in a study at the University of Malta. The year-long project is being funded by the Voluntary Or- ganisations Project Scheme, in a bid to reach all ages – young children in primary schools to adult women – to understand the dearth of women graduates in science, technology, engi- neering and maths. "In an equal system that worked well, one would ex- pect to find approximately the same overall ratio of men and women. However, this is not the case, which therefore sug- gests that there is something wrong with the system," says Dr Marceline Naudi, senior lectur- er in gender and sexualities at the University of Malta. Dr Edward Duca, a lectur- er in science and innovation communication, is leading the research with Lisa Sciortino and Simone Cutajar. Togeth- er with Dr Naudi and Prof. Brenda Murphy, they plan to create a strategy to change the minority of women working in STEM-related jobs. "This matter is very important in the Maltese context, where the gender gap problem can be seen across different paying jobs in Malta," Duca says. "In the field of lecturing, the University of Malta has fewer female lecturers than then male lecturers, and this is some- thing that is seen across many European countries as well… through the study we hope to encourage more women to not be afraid to study and work in STEM-related areas." In the project, Duca says chil- dren will get to take part in virtual workshops and attend puppet shows, encouraging children to think critically and remove misguided preconcep- tions they might have about what a scientist should be. A theatre production on genet- ics and the scientific method as told by a young female re- searcher and her experience, will address young adults. "Mindsets play an important part when trying to understand why there is such a gap between men and women in STEM," Dr In a society that pushes women to the caring professions, science and technology fields have fewer women than men in Malta. University academics want to reverse that Women kept away from science in a system designed by men A 45-year-old inmate was found dead in his pris- on cell at the Corradino Correctional Facility. The Maltese national was found dead yesterday at 6:35am. The CCF said he had passed away of nat- ural causes. A magisterial inquiry into the death is underway. But NGO Repubblika queried whether any se- cretive magisterial inquiry would achieve a result. "This systematic failure also includes the use- fulness of magisterial inquiries that take place in secret. Moreover, no one knows if they were con- cluded, what the result was, and if the recommen- dations advanced by the magistrates were fulfilled. "Reports in the press state that currently, there are about 25 pending magisterial inquiries on in- cidents that occurred in these last two and a half years. This is absurd, dangerous and very worry- ing. We also appeal to the members of the judici- ary to use the powers given to them at law, and to visit the parts of the prison that are hidden from the public eye – those that are reported to be kept in conditions that may result in torture or inhu- man treatment." CCF inmate dies, inquiry launched AN 85 year-old man is the latest person to die af- ter contracting COVID-19. He was confirmed as a positive case on 26 August and admitted to hos- pital on 1 September after his condition deterio- rated. He died earlier yesterday morning at Mater Dei Hospital. The minister for health offered his condolences to the elderly victim's family, whilst appealing to the public to continue to follow the Health Min- istry's advice. The man is the 14th victim of the disease since cases started being recorded. 14th COVID death