Carol J. Pierce Colfer
Principal Scientist
Bogor, Indonesia

Q: What sorts of gender issues do you face in your workplace? How have you addressed such issues?

A: We have both gender analysis (from a scientific point of view) and gender staffing issues that persist. Although it's a comparatively good place for women to work, many of us recognize that we still need to do more in terms of gender equity in both sphere (science and staffing).

Q: What has been your experience in advocating for gender issues in your workplace?

A: It has been quite positive, actually. We have a female DG, and even the previous two male DGs were reasonably supportive. My boss is a woman; and we have a better than average record for the CG system (though we still need improvement, of course). Recently a major evaluation recommended that we integrate gender into all of our projects, which was something of a shot in the arm.

Q: How do you link rural women's groups to your work, and what has been the impact of doing so?