As a means of addressing the under-representation of Women in Physics internationally, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) funded the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) to start the Women in Physics in South Africa (WiPiSA) Project. The Women in Physics Project was launched in November 2005 in Durban and it became known as WiPiSA. The launch conference of WIPISA was a great success. International speakers and attendees of the World Conference on Physics of Sustainable Development (WCPSD) and the US-Africa Advance Studies Institute on Photon Interaction were able to attend. The WIPISA launch conference was sandwiched in between the two international events, which made it easy for the participants of both conferences to attend the launch conference of WIPISA without incurring additional costs. A working group was selected at the launch to lead WiPiSA. Members of the working group met regularly throughout 2006 to deliberate and make progress on issues that affect women in physics. 

Aims 

The following aims have been developed for WIPISA, which embrace the international aims of Women in Physics, but are also unique to the South African situation, as identified in the prelaunch workshop: 

• To stimulate an interest in physics amongst girls and women 

• To encourage girls and women to study physics 

• To encourage and support girls and women to work in physics-related careers 

• To assist in removing or overcoming obstacles and barriers for girls and women to study physics and work in physics-related careers 

Objectives 

In the same pre-launch workshop, the following objectives were identified: 

• To attract girls into physics 

• To support women embarking on careers in physics 

• To promote women in physics in leadership roles 

• To break stereotypes that discourage women from studying physics and working in physics-related careers 

• To support women in physics who need to balance family and career 

• To promote the creation of flexible jobs (not only full-time) that will allow women in physics who have families to follow meaningful career paths 

• To promote funding criteria that take into consideration women who have families (and may interrupt their career for a time) 

• To improve institutional structures and climate for women in physics 

• To challenge gender discrimination in selection procedures and the workplace In achieving the aims the following activities were undertaken:

Working Group Meetings 

The Working Group had meetings on the following dates: 2006 8 February, 20 April, 9 June, 28 July, 1 November 21 2007 23 February, 12 April, 1 June The meetings of the working group were characterised by harmony and growth in the personal lives, and that on its own is an achievement in addressing the issues that affect women in physics in South Africa. Some of the WiPiSA working group have experienced some setbacks in our personal lives and the group was good at nurturing each other. 

The working group members were: 

•  Ms Mmantsae Diale – University of Pretoria (Chair) 

• Prof Diane Grayson – Andromeda Science Education CC 

• Dr Igle Gledhill – Council for Scientific and Industrial Research 

• Dr Jackie Nel – University of Pretoria (Treasurer) 

• Ms Patience Segonyane – Nuclear Energy Council of South Africa 

• Dr Sharmila Goedhart – Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory 

• Ms Sarah Buchner – Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (Secretary) 

• Dr Nnenesi Kgabi – North-West University (Mmabatho) 

• Dr Zinhle Buthelezi – iThemba LABS 

The working group achieved a special addition to women with PhDs when Nnenesi Kgabi graduated from North-West University in Potchefstroom in Environmental Science, a very important study and relevant to the era

Refer to the 2007 SAIP Annual Report.