The Hague Netherlands, 25-27 March 2025 – Responsible Care Indonesia (RCI) was honored to participate in the Annual OPCW Women in Chemistry Symposium, hosted by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) at its headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands. Dr. Mas Ayu Elita Hafizah, RCI’s Coordinator for Environmental and Sustainability Affairs, represented Indonesia as a speaker and contributed to global discussions on advancing gender equity, sustainable innovation, and environmental responsibility within the chemical sector.
The symposium convened nearly 100 scientists, policymakers, and educators from across the globe—both in-person and virtually—to explore strategies for enhancing women’s participation and leadership in chemistry. This initiative is critically important given that only 30% of researchers worldwide are women, with even lower representation in the hard sciences. The event emphasized how increasing gender diversity can accelerate technological innovation, improve research outcomes, and strengthen environmental stewardship.
In her presentation, Dr. Mas Ayu highlighted the critical role of women in driving technological advancements and fostering the development of environmentally sustainable chemical materials and processes. She underscored that empowering female professionals in science not only addresses the gender gap but also supports broader sustainability goals, such as reducing chemical pollution and promoting green chemistry solutions—areas that align closely with the objectives of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Participants engaged in interactive panels, technical visits to the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology (ChemTech Centre), and collaborative discussions on mentorship, leadership, and inclusive policy development. Reflecting on the event, Dr. Mas Ayu stated:
“The symposium provided a powerful platform for knowledge exchange, inspiration, and global collaboration. One of my key takeaways is the vital role of mentorship and institutional support in empowering women across all levels of the chemical profession. I am committed to leveraging these insights to build stronger support systems for women scientists in Indonesia, in line with our national efforts to increase female representation in STEM and promote environmental sustainability.”
RCI’s active participation in this international forum demonstrates its ongoing commitment to promoting gender equality, sustainable chemical management, and environmental responsibility—core principles shared with UNEP’s global mission.
