Women of the World

Film screenings, roundtables and talks flourished at NYU Shanghai this week in celebration of International Women’s Day, offering community members an opportunity to examine gender inequality while boosting awareness of women in the sciences.

On Wednesday, a silent protest in the cafeteria kicked off three days of events organized by the STEM club and the Identity & Advocacy Club. Participants sealed their mouths with black tape, in solidarity of women whose voices have been silenced and ignored in daily life.

Freshman Ma Haitian participated in the event, motivated to advance gender equality in society. “Being physically silenced allowed me to experience a part of the oppression imposed on many women; it made me yearn more than ever for an understanding of others as well as the need to be understood,” she said.

A screening of Girl Rising, a film narrating the plight of nine girls from developing countries trying to access education, took place Wednesday evening. Following the screening, Assistant Professor Lena Scheen and participating students discussed the film’s themes in relation to education, gender and science.

Secretary of the STEM Club Paula Mery Velasquez Lau ‘17 mentioned the tangible gender inequality observed in her hometown, Lima, Peru, where gender violence is a visible and pressing issue.

“Violence does not serve any kind of development or growth. On the contrary, it cripples advancement and stalls society. I want to see women in STEM and everywhere, but they won’t get there if society beats them down,” said the biology major.

On Thursday, Jennifer Tomscha, Language Lecturer and Associate Director of the Writing Program  hosted a roundtable about the intersectionality of the feminist movement, which she said is usually connected with parameters such as race and sexual orientation. A dialogue was also held on Friday to exchange views on gender stereotypes in STEM fields.

“It is very important for us to have a dialogue about the ways in which we contribute (or not) to creating a more gender-equal space at our campus before we can move on and try to change the bigger system,” Velasquez Lau said.

Find out more stories about NYU Shanghai women in STEM here.