Network for Women in Space launches in New Zealand.
New Zealand now has its own network to support women working in the space sector, and those who want to. A group of women working in the space sector have come together from across the country to launch Women in Space Aotearoa New Zealand during World Space Week, where this year’s global theme celebrates “Women in Space”.
Women in Space Aotearoa New Zealand (WISANZ) aims to provide a professional network and inclusive community that supports women working in the space sector, provides mentorship for women wanting to enter the sector and encourages the next generation of women to pursue a career in space, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. Membership is open to all women and gender minorities who work in the space sector or would like to work in the space sector in New Zealand. Members of the network work, or have an interest in, all aspects of the space sector, including science, engineering, business, medical, policy, and legal fields.
WISANZ is launching during World Space Week, an event held between 4 to 10 October every year since being declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999. It is an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition. Each year has a different theme with World Space Week 2021 celebrating “Women in Space”.
According to the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs, women represent only about twenty-percent of the global space industry workforce, a proportion unchanged in the last thirty years. The space sector in New Zealand is growing and it is important that women are encouraged to enter the sector across all fields, while also ensuring women are supported with equal opportunities in the sector. WISANZ is dedicated to expanding opportunities for women and other gender minorities, and pursuing gender equity in the space sector in New Zealand.
University of Canterbury biochemist, NASA astronaut candidate finalist interviewee and WISANZ member, Dr Sarah Kessans says: “It's really exciting to see Aotearoa's space sector beginning to diversify in a variety of ways, going far beyond the realm of launch vehicles, satellites, and data collection to long-term, collaborative exploration missions with big visions for humanity. The wider participation of a diverse community - including more women! - will allow for these future innovations, and I see WISANZ playing a big role in this.”
Sarah Blyde, Project Engineer at Rocket Lab and WISANZ member, says: "The space sector is such an exciting place to be at the moment, but it is also an industry where women are underrepresented. For me, this network will provide an opportunity to learn from experienced women working in the sector, support other women on their own journey, and inspire the next generation who will come after us."
For more information on Women in Space Aotearoa New Zealand, visit their website https://www.womeninspace.co.nz/. Subscribe to the mailing list for news and updates, or join the network as a member. You can also follow WISANZ on Twitter @womeninspacenz and LinkedIn.
Further information about World Space Week can be found at https://www.worldspaceweek.org/
