Capacity building in EO and GIT - bridging the gender and capacity gap
in the HKH region
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.