1. Exploring Gender and Research in
Antarctica
Group I

2. A look at Ice continent
 Considered as Boy’s Club, Arena of Masculinity and
a ground to test manhood
 Female only in there gendered roles.
 Not allowed to step foot on the continent confined on
Ships.
 No native population.
 Male to female ratio 1:7(varies considerably)
 Total population summers: 4000

3. Important Facts
 1935, Caroline Mikkelsen, wife of a Norwegian
whaling captain, became the first known woman to
set foot, briefly, in Antarctica—but not the first
person.
 Women had to wait 100 years to be part of
Antarctica after its discovery.
 1969-1970, the US Navy ban on transporting women
was lifted.

4. Gender issues in field of scientific
research
 Gaps in participation.
 Barriers that generate discrimination against women
in scientific careers and decision-making.
 Less likely to be promoted to top positions.
 Low proportion of women on research decision-
making boards
 Women researchers paid less than men on the same
level (gender pay-gap)
 ‘There is no problem’– a lack of awareness and
commitment

5. How all this relates to Antarctica
Gaps in participation
1. Boy's club
2. Participation in traditional role
3. Thinking of men
4. Harsh environment
5. Male program leaders against
women
6. Eligibility criteria.
7. Undermining the ability.
Discrimination of women in scientific
careers
1. Prove worthy for position
2. Challenge male dominance.
3. Doubt on female psychological
strength and unadoptable to the
environment.
Family Values
1. Demanding field research
daunts both mother and father.
2. Family choices weigh heavier
on women.

6. Other Factors Specific for Antarctica
 Long duration work conditions, affecting personal
relationships (i.e. leaving children behind)
 Female scientists have the perception that to be a
successful researcher full dedication is needed, to
the exclusion of other interests or personal life.
 Stories heard but not reported of sexual harassment,
indecent behavior and even indecent assault to
women expeditionary
 Pressure from society from leaving “their normal
roles”
 Perception that women will lead to social disruption.

7. Changing roles of women in Antarctica
Practical
companions
A Heroes's
wife
Era of
Science and
First
Participation

8. 40 years of women in Antarctica: challenges
and changes
 In the last 40 years, women have participated in
many Antarctic roles.
 Impact of world wide drive on Gender Mainstreaming
and equal rights.
 The Feminist Movement of the 1970s helped women
to gain access to work in Antarctica
 Change in working conditions for women, allowing
equal opportunity for employment.

9. Social and Environmental Stressors
in Antarctica
 Isolation
 Confinement
 Environment
Isolation from outside world. Confinement in winter.
Harsh environment .
ICE
Leads to depression, stress and
bearing on Social relationships.

10. Discussion, Conclusion, and
Recommendation
 The role of women in Antarctic has evolved from
companions to contributors.
 However, men still greatly outnumber women in the
Antarctic workplace, even though many developed
nations have mandated equal employment
opportunities by law.
 The main constrains on women’s involvement have
been the perception that they are interfering with the
‘heroic culture’, or taking men’s jobs.