Women on Ice: ICIMOD’s scheme to gender parity in Cryosphere Science

Kathmandu, 17 July: ICIMOD has launched ‘Women on Ice’ initiative to build the experience, skills, confidence and networks of the next generation of female cryosphere researchers.

The scheme is an important step in efforts to drive urgent progress in tackling the persistent gender imbalance in science where just one third of researchers are women, the ICIMOD release says.

Women on Ice will offer 10 aspiring glaciologists from the Hindu Kush Himalayan region between the ages of 21 and 28 the chance to join ICIMOD’s first-ever all-women cryosphere expedition, to Ponkar Glacier in Manang, Nepal in December 2024.

Women from Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan, with no previous experience of science or glaciology necessary can apply no later than 15 August 2024 via https://www.icimod.org/event/cryosphere-water/hkh-women-on-ice/.

The fully funded expedition will provide participants with intensive training in how to survive in challenging environments, to identify glacial features, to develop a deeper understanding of the impact of climate change on these vital ecosystems, and to collect valuable data.

The expedition, from 2-13 December, will include two mountaineering guides, a doctor, and four ICIMOD experts. All participants will go through a medical check to be declared medically fit to undertake the expedition by an accredited hospital, and must be willing to undertake a difficult hike and work under challenging conditions.