Promoting gender diversity as integral part of the work of ICOMOS
The General Assembly of ICOMOS passed the historic resolution addressing Gender Diversity in Sydney last 8 September 2023. The resolution puts forward gender diversity and empowerment as an important component of the ICOMOS Triennial Action Plan, with a specific focus on gender equity in membership and leadership positions and on research related to heritage practices and management systems. It also invites its committees and all ICOMOS bodies to take gender dimensions into account as part of their work and decision making processes.
This resolution was put forth by the Joint Task Team on Heritage and Gender, of ICOMOS Sustainable Development Goals Working Group and Our Common Dignity - Rights-Based Approaches Working Group. Established in August 2021, this Joint Task Team aims to emphasize the intersection of gender within heritage narratives and engage with relevant stakeholders to establish gender-sensitive, gender-responsive, and gender-transformative policies and practices within the heritage field. The team has conducted research for an upcoming publication by Routledge, scheduled for release in 2025, which focuses on the development of discourse at the intersection of heritage and gender within ICOMOS. The research findings advocate that attaining gender balance is crucial for fostering an inclusive and diverse future, as stereotyping the profession to one gender can prove detrimental to preserving people's dignity and heritage.
The resolution was supported by 7 National Committees, 3 International Scientific Committees as well as ICOMOS members from Australia, Canada, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, India, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States of America.
The Joint Task Team will be reporting back at the next ICOMOS General Assembly in 2026 on progress that has been made with gender diversity and discourse within ICOMOS in the next three years.
The Joint Task Team on Heritage and Gender wishes to thank all who gave their support.
If you are interested in contributing to or learning more about the work of this task team, please reach out to the Task Team Coordinator, Saranya Dharshini.
Read the full resolution here:
Resolution 21GA 2023/20 – Gender Diversity in ICOMOS
See also:
"Our Common Dignity Initiative" - Rights-Based Approach Working Group (OCD-RBA WG)