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Capacity building in EO and GIT - bridging the gender and capacity gap in the HKH region
  • Poonam Tripathi,
  • Rajesh Bahadur Thapa
Poonam Tripathi
ICIMOD

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Rajesh Bahadur Thapa
ICIMOD
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Abstract

Earth observation (EO) and geographic information technology (GIT) offer a wide range of data and tools to aid in data management, research, decision-making, and tracking, as well as the ability to test and assess options by providing high-resolution and spatially explicit information in both temporal and spatial domains. However, capacity and gender gap at individual and institutional levels in the HKH region has limited the adoption and operational use of EO data and GIT in various applications as was evident by SERVIR phase I and phase II analysis. In this regard, as part of our capacity-building processes in the HKH region, we held a series of “Empowering women in GIT” events in 2021 to promote and support young women to become aware of and pursue careers in EO and GIT. Virtual trainings were delivered to the young women of five countries i.e. Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh of the HKH region building the capacity of ~235 individuals from ~166 institutes accommodating many professionals from the academic institutes as well. The trainings were given on various aspects of EO and GIT from basic to advanced level including the use of open-source EO data and tools for terrestrial applications along with a focus on the SERVIR services, and applications on drought monitoring, forest cover analysis, HiWAT streamflow prediction, stream water delineation etc. Analysis from the training assessment showed an enhancement (>50%) in the knowledge and skills from low to higher levels. The effectiveness of the training judged by relevancy and quality surveys demonstrated that the trainings were of significant high quality, with >85 percent of the participants responding positively. Our efforts to close the gender gap in EO and GIT had a positive outcome, with most participants expressing confidence in using the information in their respective professional domains and research areas. Academic institutions have been the key in spreading knowledge on EO and GIT, thus, building the capacity of academic professionals would help in the foundation of institutional and individual capacity to transfer knowledge. Focused capacity development can contribute to bridge the gender and capacity gap, and underpin the achievement of best practices and innovations that might guide towards better adoption of EOand GIT in the HKH region.