graduate student at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 will officially premiere a new short documentary on campus this month spotlighting systemic oppression facing a Pakistani woman. PhD student, Haider Rifaat directed, wrote, narrated and produced In Shackles, which will be screened on Friday, January 24, at 1 p.m. in , Room 306.

The short documentary chronicles the life of Shamim, a 34-year-old Pakistani woman navigating the harsh realities of a patriarchal society in a village in Islamabad. Her story focuses on forced marriage and sexual violence, which are connected to more complex societal problems facing Pakistanis, including religious hypocrisy, impact of family conditioning on children and the culture of silence surrounding violence.

“The film鈥檚 title In Shackles is a metaphor to describe helplessness of a woman experiencing personal and professional problems that are connected to broader, more complex societal issues in Pakistan,” said Rifaat.

At only 29 years, Rifaat, who produced the film under his production label Haider Rifaat (HR) Films, is not only a filmmaker but an accomplished journalist and an actor. Through In Shackles, he critiques Pakistan鈥檚 legal system, particularly the Child Marriage Restraint Act, which sets the minimum marriage age for girls at 16.

“Although the short documentary supports women鈥檚 rights, it also centers on complex sociopolitical and legalistic problems that prevent women from progressing. Just like the controversial zina (illicit sexual intercourse) ordinances incarcerated female rape victims under Zia ul Haq鈥檚 controversial regime, laws surrounding child marriages aren鈥檛 accomplishing anything better for girls either. Setting the legal age of marriage for girls to 16 years may give families an opportunity to have their daughters marry without consent, which falls under forced marriage,” Rifaat added.

Rifaat鈥檚 film will also be released simultaneously on YouTube under following the premiere event.

The premiere is sponsored by the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 , , and , a policy think tank based in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Exploring female empowerment through multifaceted experiences was the goal of the University of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 W膩hine Mana virtual conference in April. Hosted by the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) housed in the Office of the President, the conference, with more than 600 registrants, spoke to the challenges women face at different phases of their lives.

“As Tri-Chairs of the Commission on the Status of Women, we are immensely heartened by the profound dialogue and impactful connections developed during the W膩hine Mana virtual conference,” said Darsh Dav茅, Kapiʻolani Community College human resources manager and Kapiʻolani tri-chair. “Our dedication to women’s empowerment extends beyond mere discussion; it encompasses proactive measures, advocacy, and concrete initiatives aimed at uplifting and supporting every individual within the 糖心Vlog官方 community. This conference has played a pivotal role in fostering a culture where every person, irrespective of gender, can flourish and achieve success.”

In ʻ艑lelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), w膩hine mana means both “powerful women” and “female empowerment.” The conference began with remarks from President David Lassner and a conversation between wahine ʻ艒lelo Hawaiʻi experts, Luana Kawaʻa and Kaheleonolani Dukelow (糖心Vlog官方 Maui College) about the meaning of “W膩hine Mana” and the significance of female empowerment in Hawaiian culture and history. This grounding and inspiring session set the tone for the conference.

There鈥檚 a strength in knowing that we鈥檙e all working on the same problems.
—Conference participant

Following this kick-off event, five webinar presentations addressed some of the most pressing issues facing the women of 糖心Vlog官方: sexual violence on college campuses, growing families and careers, the reality of working parenthood, and financial security. Throughout the conference, speakers reflected on the meaning and significance of w膩hine mana, particularly in light of the obstacles faced by women in higher education.

One attendee anonymously shared, “It was wonderful to hear about how women within the 糖心Vlog官方 System have navigated common struggles of balancing academic and professional work along with the rest of their lives. There’s a strength in knowing that we’re all working on the same problems.” Another described the conference sessions as, “truly eye-opening.”

Future plans for the conference

The conference highlighted the critical importance of making space for employees and students to share their experiences, particularly their common struggles, and to come together to find a way forward. CSW received more than 100 evaluations of the conference鈥檚 webinars. Attendees were encouraged to share their ideas for initiatives and projects that CSW could spearhead to benefit the 糖心Vlog官方 Community.

CSW is in the process of reviewing and unpacking conference feedback to assess tangible next steps. In the meantime, attendees and organizers enjoyed the galvanizing moment created by the conference, as an opportunity for reflection, support, and inspiration.

More on the Commission on the Status of Women

The 糖心Vlog官方 President鈥檚 Commission on the Status of Women is committed to improving the support, well-being, development, and advancement of all women in the university community by actively promoting a safe working and learning environment free of sexism and discrimination through policy, advocacy, and education.

Resources and support

If you or someone you know needs support, help is available. For support relating to sexual misconduct or gender-based misconduct, Title IX and Confidential Advocacy resources are available. 糖心Vlog官方 and community-based mental health resources are also available.

A special quarter celebrating the life and legacy of Patsy Takemoto Mink, a distinguished University of Hawaiʻi alumna, is from the U.S. Mint, and began shipping on March 25. An event announcing the release and honoring the former U.S. Congresswoman and Title IX champion was held at the Stan Sheriff Center at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补.

The quarter design depicts Mink holding her landmark Title IX legislation, which prohibits educational institutions from discriminating on the basis of sex in any way, and wearing a lei representing her home state of Hawaiʻi. The U.S. Capitol Building is in the background.

“As the first woman of color to serve in Congress, Patsy Mink was a trailblazer who fought to ensure that generations of girls and women could have every opportunity men have,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono. “Congresswoman Mink鈥檚 legacy lives on through Title IX, the landmark legislation she authored to outlaw sex-based discrimination in education. As we work to build on the progress she made, I am proud to announce the launch of this quarter honoring Patsy and her legacy, so that people across our state and country can learn more about her life and contributions to the fight for social justice, equality and civil rights.”

Distinguished 糖心Vlog官方 alumna

Mink graduated from the University Hawaiʻi in 1948, with majors in zoology and chemistry. She was the first woman of color elected to Congress. Title IX, which she co-authored, was renamed the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act following her death. 糖心Vlog官方 celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX in 2022.

“All of us at the University of Hawaiʻi are beyond proud and grateful to have been part of the important work of Patsy Takemoto Mink and to be able to celebrate this milestone honoring her today. Patsy is a distinguished 糖心Vlog官方 alumna who left a lasting legacy to the world with the enactment of Title IX,” said 糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner. “糖心Vlog官方 stands fully committed to the values of equity, inclusion, and justice that are championed through what is now known as the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act. We stand fully committed to the hard work we know is needed by all of us to create a future free from all forms of sex discrimination and that provides equal opportunity and access to education for all.”

Enduring legacy

The Patsy Takemoto Mink quarter is the 12th coin in the U. S. Mint鈥檚 , which celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by women who have shaped our nation鈥檚 history and helped pave the way for generations that followed.

“The release of Patsy Mink鈥檚 quarter serves as a reminder for us to continue to fight for gender equity,” said 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 student Ashley Badis. “It is thanks to Title IX that myself and other women have been able to carry on her legacy.”

The National Women鈥檚 History Museum, the Smithsonian American Women鈥檚 History Museum and the U.S. Mint will celebrate Mink and the release of her quarter at an , which is free and open to the public.

The average male in Hawaiʻi out-earned the average female by 50%, a smaller margin than the 69% gap observed nationally, but according to a , the margin is “still very large.” 糖心Vlog官方ERO cites data from the American Community Survey spanning 2015 to 2022.

“These aggregate figures, however, overlook crucial factors such as educational attainment and occupation, which significantly impact earnings,” wrote 糖心Vlog官方ERO Research Economist Rachel Inafuku, the author of the blog. “An accurate measure of the gender pay gap needs to consider whether women with similar skill levels and educational backgrounds earn less than their male counterparts.”

When examining earnings across education levels from 2015 to 2022, lifetime earnings are consistently higher for men than women, even within the same level of education. The smallest discrepancy is found among individuals with professional or doctoral degrees, where men earn 33% to 35% more than women holding the same degree.

The most substantial gap surfaces among those who attended college but didn鈥檛 complete their degree: men in this group earn 63% more than their female counterparts. For a woman to match the lifetime earnings of a man with some college experience but no degree, she would need to attain at least a master鈥檚 degree. At every educational tier, women in the subsequent degree bracket fail to surpass the earnings of men at the previous education level.

Pay gap across occupations

Among the 130 occupations examined in 糖心Vlog官方ERO鈥檚 sample, men earned more than women in 82% of these careers, while 18% of these professions saw women earning more. Occupations such as financial managers, chief executives, and pharmacists exhibited some of the lowest ratios of female to male earnings, indicating that women working these jobs earn much less than men. Conversely, roles like hosts/hostesses, bartenders, and paralegals show the highest ratios of female to male earnings.

The gender pay gap has been a focal point in economics especially within the past year when Claudia Goldin won the Nobel Prize for uncovering key drivers of gender differences in the labor market. While female labor participation increased substantially over the past century, Goldin found that the earnings gap between men and women in the U.S. hardly closed over a long period of time.

What drives Hawaiʻi鈥檚 gender pay gap?

Several national studies have found that women are more likely to prioritize home activities, such as reducing their work hours to care for their children, which often results in career sacrifices.

“Here in Hawaiʻi, the data aligns with Goldin鈥檚 findings,” Inafuku wrote. “Throughout their mid to late 20鈥檚, men earn slightly more than women. After that, this pay differential widens as men鈥檚 wages grow at a much faster rate than women鈥檚, and the gap continues over the course of a worker鈥檚 career.”

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糖心Vlog官方ERO is housed in 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 .

The Women of 糖心Vlog官方 Esports (Women of 糖心Vlog官方E), an organization within the award-winning University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 esports program, has achieved a program milestone: competing in its first national tournament.

The organization was founded in 2022 to support women and all marginalized genders in esports at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补. Several of its players competed against more than a dozen institutions in a Valorant competition called the Aurora Series in February 2024. While the team didn鈥檛 capture the top spot, 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 esports program director Nyle Sky Kauweloa said it wasn鈥檛 as much about winning as it was getting the players experience, and playing against and interacting with other women across the country.

“Taking part in the Aurora Series allowed our students to interact, socialize and interface with a larger community of women and non-binary players,” Kauweloa said. “That鈥檚 the mission of these tournaments. It鈥檚 not so much about being the best.”

Read more about the Women of 糖心Vlog官方E

“We only had a couple of practices together before competing so our main goal was to try our best and play well as a team,” Zelda Cole said. “After competing against some crazy good teams, we all felt inspired and excited for the potential of Women of 糖心Vlog官方E. It’s always been a dream to play in a supportive community with other girls. Being able to turn to them, fist bump, laugh at our mistakes, and cheer each other on side by side was so special and I can’t wait to compete with them again.”

Haley Teramoto added, “This past Aurora tournament was my first time competing in any video game at a higher level, and while we may have lost I felt like it was a really good learning experience for us. We had fun implementing what we’d learned into a match with actual stakes and got to see the level of other teams in the field. Now that we’ve been practicing as a team for a bit longer now I’m excited to see how much we’ve improved in this upcoming tournament.”

Cora Kennedy, the founder of the Aurora Series, explained why she started the series for marginalized genders in esports.

“I have always recognized the power of marginalized gender competitive spaces because, for many players, it is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space that they feel comfortable starting out their competitive journey in,” Kennedy said. “These players are typically ignored and disenfranchised in the traditional esports infrastructure, so by creating a dedicated space for them, they can grow and thrive in a place free from the harassment and trappings of traditional esports communities.”

The Women of 糖心Vlog官方E will be participating in the Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup later this spring.

For more about Women of 糖心Vlog官方E, .

糖心Vlog官方 Esports receives funding from the . 糖心Vlog官方 the 糖心Vlog官方 Esports team鈥檚 and . More stories on 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 esports program.

There are no female esports players in the world鈥檚 top 300 earners, and only a small fraction of the millions being won in competitions around the world is going to women, according to a . This is just one of the examples showing that esports is still a male dominated industry. A group of University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 students, however, is hoping to change that.

Women of 糖心Vlog官方 Esports (Women of 糖心Vlog官方E) was founded as an organization within the award-winning 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 esports program by 糖心Vlog官方 Esports Player Support Coordinator Madeline Gilbert in 2022. Gilbert said the main goal of Women of 糖心Vlog官方E is to support women and all marginalized genders in esports, making sure that they have equal opportunities to play and potentially earn a future career in the gaming industry. .

“It鈥檚 always felt like a good environment to be in and I think that carries out with our players as well,” Gilbert said. “They鈥檝e always been super happy to support our Women of 糖心Vlog官方E program, especially our other Valorant teams that are in our 糖心Vlog官方 Esports program. 鈥t鈥檚 been a really nice environment to create this program in.”

Women of 糖心Vlog官方E picked up momentum in fall 2023, gaining dozens of members and establishing Women of 糖心Vlog官方E Valorant teams as part of the 糖心Vlog官方 Esports program. Thanks in large part to Women of 糖心Vlog官方E, the 糖心Vlog官方 Esports program features one of the larger cohorts of women in collegiate esports in the nation. Gilbert said that they have also established connections with other marginalized gender groups in Hawaiʻi and across the world.

“Women of 糖心Vlog官方E has really changed the tenor of our program,” said 糖心Vlog官方 Esports Program Director Nyle Sky Kauweloa. “Having women at the forefront of their own initiative has been incredibly inviting for other marginalized genders to come into our space itself. I think that鈥檚 really important because this is a space for the entire student body of 糖心Vlog官方. We want folks that identify inclusively to come into 糖心Vlog官方 Esports and to understand that not only do they have a place to hang out, game and socialize, but they have a location to create.”

‘A wonderful team experience’

Paris Walker Nissen, a sophomore sociology major, and Camille Castro, a sophomore pre-nursing major, are both part of Women of 糖心Vlog官方E.

“All the girls are really, really lovely,” said Walker Nissen. “It has been a wonderful team experience, a wonderful coaching experience. I could not have been more happy with the way that it鈥檚 gone. I think it鈥檚 a really well built program.”

Castro said that the best part has been the matches and scrimmages between players.

“It鈥檚 pretty friendly. We get to try out a lot of things. It鈥檚 very playful, but it can get a little competitive and that鈥檚 the best part of it,” Castro said.

Women of 糖心Vlog官方E鈥檚 future

Members of Women of 糖心Vlog官方E hope to see the program continue to grow and become more competitive, possibly even joining a program called “Game Changers,” a Valorant gaming league that creates new opportunities and exposure for women and other marginalized genders.

“If you join, there is a community here for you,” Gilbert said. “There are a lot of really friendly people. We keep a kind environment going around and so you鈥檒l make friends, you鈥檒l find people that you like.”

For more about Women of 糖心Vlog官方E, .

糖心Vlog官方 Esports receives funding from the . 糖心Vlog官方 the 糖心Vlog官方 Esports team鈥檚 and pages. More stories on 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 esports program.

—By Marc Arakaki

A webinar series will be held across the University of Hawaiʻi 10-campus system, in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) in October 2023.

The 2023 is hosted by 糖心Vlog官方 Title IX Offices systemwide, in collaboration with the 糖心Vlog官方 System Office of Equity Assurance and the Office of the Vice President for Community Colleges Office of Compliance, EEO/AA and Title IX.

“This issue can impact anyone, regardless of race, gender, age, socio-economics, disability, or sexual orientation,” said 糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner in a September 26 email to the system announcing the DVAM series. “Please join us by standing behind 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 commitment to ending intimate partner violence and taking time to being held across our 10 campuses.”

The DVAM webinars will highlight a range of relevant and timely topics, including the effects of domestic violence on children, the impact of disasters on families dealing with domestic violence, ways to support survivors of intimate partner violence and lighter topics such as unpacking the relationship dynamics in the movie Barbie.

The webinar series will also feature a crossover event for both DVAM and National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). In this special event, national and state experts will discuss the legal protections and accommodations for workers experiencing pregnancy and domestic violence.

The events (registration is required)

Crossover event for DVAM and NDEAM (co-hosted by 糖心Vlog官方 systemwide EEO Offices)
October 17, 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.

October 17, 3 p.m.–4 p.m.

October 24, 1 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

October 25, 3 p.m.–4 p.m.

October 26, 12 p.m.–1 p.m.

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In 1989, Congress , officially recognizing the national movement to raise awareness and unite efforts to address intimate partner violence. In the most recent results, a 2021 survey by 糖心Vlog官方 found that approximately 18.5% of students who had been in a partnered relationship while enrolled at 糖心Vlog官方 reported experiencing intimate partner violence. The need for power and control takes many forms—including emotional, physical and financial—but the effects of abuse linger and can be felt across generations.

If you are experiencing intimate partner violence or any other type of sexual harassment or gender violence, please know that support services are available, including confidential help. 糖心Vlog官方 is committed to maintaining and promoting safe and respectful campus environments free from sex discrimination and gender-based violence, and 糖心Vlog官方 has adopted a policy prohibiting domestic and dating violence, as well as other forms of gender violence.

Engineering and other STEM professions have long been challenged with attracting women, a problem that starts with engagement at the K–12 level and continues through college and beyond. At the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 , where female students make up only 23% of the student population, the imbalance is often not as apparent as the statistics indicate, with women students taking up prominent leadership roles within project teams and clubs and winning accolades for scholastic achievement. Still, it鈥檚 a statistic many at the college would like to see changed, an effort that involves not just recruitment but retention of talented women in the program.

Student ambassadors at the College of Engineering are making strides to build a more inclusive environment for women with the creation of the school鈥檚 , a group that serves as an outlet for relaxation, relationship-building and professional growth.

In fall 2021, the college鈥檚 team of Engineering Student Ambassadors launched a program to foster a sense of community for its female students and create a safe space for growth and learning. The program, called the W膩hine Mentorship Program, started out over Zoom, with monthly events, such as online game nights, craft nights and panel discussions. The group gained steam and, after reviewing feedback from participants in the first year, was rebranded in fall 2022 as W膩hine Connect. With its new direction, W膩hine Connect has decreased the barrier to entry so that students can jump in and participate in programming at any time, offering all female engineering students (along with their friends and male allies) a chance to enjoy social activities, engage in professional development and build connections with one another via low-pressure, free monthly events.

Mia Casparian, a junior majoring in , serves as an engineering student ambassador and has been active in planning and developing the W膩hine Connect program since its inception.

“W膩hine Connect is really important because with our smaller female student population, it鈥檚 important for us to have a way to network, connect and make other female engineering friends, as well as learn from people who have moved on to work in industry and get advice from them on that transition,” Casparian said. “From an organizer standpoint, I love seeing it come together, and seeing people interact and form real friendships outside of the program.”

Connecting with local HS students

This year, W膩hine Connect integrated a service component to the program. At Castle High School, engineering ambassadors chatted with students about careers in STEM and the opportunities within the engineering pathway. The College of Engineering also has a year-round presence at Castle via a program called EngineeringHI, where tutors/mentors (some of whom are also affiliated with W膩hine Connect) come to campus multiple times a week for in-school and after-school assistance STEM subjects.

At Kapolei High School, ambassadors met with students in the engineering/design and building/construction career pathways.

Courtney Suma, Kapolei鈥檚 career academy advisor, said, “We truly appreciated that their presentation didn鈥檛 focus only on the College of Engineering, but included their lives as college students, their past experiences that shaped who they are today, and their future.”

The team鈥檚 final engagement opportunity of the semester was a “Women in STEM” presentation at Damien Memorial School. At this event, co-organized by Damien President Arnold Laʻanui and Principal Kyle Atabay, 12 middle and high school-age girls engaged with College of Engineering students and staff, hearing from student ambassadors about their experiences in college and engaging in friendly competition with one another via an engineering design challenge.

W膩hine Connect spring 2023 events

On campus, W膩hine Connect kicked off the 2023 spring semester with a Galentine鈥檚 event in February, complete with cookie decorating, a chocolate fondue fountain and a Valentine鈥檚-card-making activity to create cards for special women in the students鈥� lives. In March, the student ambassadors organized a Brunch and Learn event with engineering alumna Lindsey Tagawa, a 2021 bachelor of science in civil engineering graduate and now an engineer at NAVFAC Pacific. Tagawa shared her personal story of transitioning from student to professional and answered questions from an attentive student audience.

In April, W膩hine Connect held its last big social event of the year: the second annual Picnic and Painting in the Park. Students sat on the Holmes Hall lawn painting their own unique creations on small canvases as they enjoyed poke bowls and cream puffs.

For more, visit the .

To support the Engineering Student Ambassador Program, .

The University of Hawaiʻi continues to honor its commitment to foster supportive campuses where students feel safe from sexual harassment and gender-based violence. To help the university improve how and where resources are focused, 糖心Vlog官方 is encouraging students to participate in an online survey by February 24, 2023.

• More information on the 糖心Vlog官方 Sex-Based Discrimination and Harassment Student Survey

“糖心Vlog官方 is committed to achieving a safe and supportive environment in which you can achieve academic success and personal growth,” 糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner said in a message to students at all 10 糖心Vlog官方 campuses. “We have made significant progress in addressing domestic and gender-based violence across our campuses over the past years. We are now requesting your input to help us do better.”

Students 18 years and older are eligible to take the confidential, voluntary 糖心Vlog官方 Sex-Based Discrimination and Harassment Student Survey. The survey is easily accessible online through a hawaii.edu email received on January 24, 2023 titled #BeHeard糖心Vlog官方: Sex-Based Discrimination and Harassment Student Survey. The 20-minute survey will ask students about:

• Their campus environment related to sexual harassment and gender-based violence.
• How well students believe the 糖心Vlog官方 community responds to and addresses their concerns.
• Their awareness of resources and reporting options for those experiencing sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking and interpersonal violence (domestic and dating violence).
• Prevalence (e.g., how widespread) and incidence (e.g., how often) of sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking and interpersonal violence on the campuses.

Those who participate are asked to encourage their fellow students to also take the survey, promote #BeHeard糖心Vlog官方 and urge everyone to speak up about sexual harassment and gender-based violence.

National best practice

The survey, considered a national best practice, was first identified as a priority by 糖心Vlog官方 in 2015 and was then mandated by the Hawaiʻi State legislature as part of Act 208 in 2016. It has been administered every other year since 2017 with the first survey results released in 2018.

Data from the survey will also be used to inform 糖心Vlog官方 about marginalized groups on the different campuses and their varying levels of risk, and will address the needs of these students. It is also used to measure how each campus is doing in addressing problem areas revealed in previous surveys.

According to the last survey in 2021, students in the 糖心Vlog官方 10-campus system felt safer overall from sexual harassment and gender-based violence. About 17% of 40,122 adult students completed the 2021 survey, the highest response rate in 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 three biennial campus surveys, even with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The survey is coordinated by the 糖心Vlog官方 Office of Institutional Equity and conducted by OmniTrak Group, Inc with consultant researchers, Professors Sandra L. Martin and Bonnie S. Fisher, who consulted on the Association of American Universities 2015 Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct.

Resources for victims

There are several options available to victims of gender-based harassment or violence depending on the type of assistance wanted.

• Those who do not want to make a formal report yet may contact a confidential resource on their campus to explore their options and receive services:
• To make a formal report, please contact your campus Title IX coordinator:
• To seek help off campus, please contact a community resource in your area: /titleix/help/community-resources/

This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on June 23, 2022.

Fifty years ago today, Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments was signed into law. The enduring civil rights legislation addressing gender equity in education is particularly significant for the university as one of its main authors, Congresswoman Patsy Takemoto Mink, a University of Hawaiʻi Distinguished Alumna, was Title IX鈥檚 most staunch institutional advocate. The act simply and profoundly states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

Despite significant resistance, the Maui-born Congresswoman and her co-authors transformed U.S. schools and universities by prohibiting educational institutions from discriminating on the basis of sex in any way. To honor her unwavering commitment and perseverance to bring gender equity to all dimensions of education, Congress renamed Title IX as the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act in 2002 after her death. While Mink had been denied admission to medical school for being a woman, Title IX now prohibits gender-based discrimination in any and all disciplines. Title IX also ensures equitable participation regardless of gender in athletics. And Title IX prohibits sex-based harassment, which encompasses sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence; treatment of pregnant and parenting students; treatment of LGBTQI+ students; discipline; single-sex education; and employment. These are all protections that must be ensured by any educational institution that receives federal financial assistance for all students and employees whether they are female, male, or non-binary.

Given the expansive scope of Title IX, legislators could have written hundreds of pages and not achieved what these 37 words have done. We have no idea what contributions Patsy would have made as a doctor had she been admitted to medical school. But it鈥檚 hard to imagine that she could have had a greater impact on Hawaiʻi and the nation than what she accomplished as a public servant armed with her law school education and her relentless passion for justice for all.

To honor the 50th anniversary of Title IX, and Patsy Mink, we have planned numerous educational and commemorative events this year to celebrate what we have accomplished, critique what is still before us, and challenge us to think about the importance of Title IX and its legacy. Throughout this year and as we look forward to the next 50 years of Title IX, we鈥檙e reminded that while much has been accomplished, there is still more work ahead. We will remain steadfast in our commitment to future generations of students as the only provider of public higher education in Hawaiʻi, maintaining our pledge to advance civil rights and gender equity protections within our university community. The University will continue to provide educational programming to raise awareness of Title IX rights and resources, strengthen programmatic initiatives toward prevention and early reporting, provide training and support resources for students and employees, and recommit to our collaborations with community partners. It is my hope that the underlying values of equity, inclusion, and justice championed within the spirit and intent of Title IX will bring about long-lasting change and a culture shift toward a future at 糖心Vlog官方 free from all forms of sex discrimination while ensuring and celebrating equal opportunity and access to education for all.

E m膩lama pono,
David Lassner
糖心Vlog官方 Presidnt

The first analysis of gender trends across the globe and in the Indo-Pacific region, has been developed by the University of 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 (PDC) in partnership with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM)鈥檚 Office of Women, Peace and Security (WPS).

PDC shared the results of the year-long collaborative research effort鈥攁nalyzing all available data related to women, peace and security鈥攊n two virtual working sessions in April. The sessions helped stakeholders understand the drivers of gender inequality and how the WPS analysis can enhance programmatic efforts to improve gender-based resilience, peace and security around the globe.

This is not only informative, but transformative.
—Christopher Robson

Participants from across the Indo-Pacific were welcomed by Air Commodore Christopher Robson, USINDOPACOM鈥檚 regional and multinational engagement advisor for strategic planning and policy, who described the recent U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) requirements to integrate gender analysis into security cooperation planning and processes.

“This is not only informative, but transformative,” said Robson. “This is the first time that the DoD has commissioned a research project for an accurate picture of current gender trends across the globe, with a focus on the INDOPACOM region.”

Analysis provides significant data

WPS Analyst Dee Sawyers highlighted the significance of the first composite-index, data-driven gender responsiveness baseline assessment.

“The body of work provides key indicators of destabilizing factors identified in previous human security research products within organizations such as the United Nations, USAID (U.S. Agency for International Development) and the Red Cross,” Sawyers said. “The baseline assessment analysis is a planning tool for practitioners鈥攁dding clarity to and reinforcing DoD policies such as the U.S. strategy to prevent conflict and promote stability.”

The methodology and regional results were presented by PDC鈥檚 Joseph Green, director of applied science and advanced analytics. He shared how certain indicators, while not often perceived as gender-oriented, can be cross-cutting and impact gender-based security concerns.

PDC has also worked with U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Southern Command for similar assessments in their regions. The 糖心Vlog官方 applied science and research center is committed to ensuring that underrepresented populations are included in analysis across all domains affecting humanitarian assistance, security and disaster risk reduction.

Women make up nearly two-fifths of the global workforce, but have suffered more than half of total job losses due to COVID-19, according to an expansive study on women by University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 researchers at . The study utilized life course, age and gender research to provide new information regarding work-life balance policies, which could impact women鈥檚 employment and economic security in later life.

Associate Professor Jing Guo and Professor Emerita Colette Browne, both of the , examined the patterns of women鈥檚 employment over women鈥檚 lifespan in Japan, Sweden and the U.S. Differences emerged in work-life balance policies and social norms on gender roles.

Patterns, differences in inequality

Using the (OECD) and other large data sets, Guo and Browne found there was a consistent pattern of women鈥檚 employment across the three countries. Employment gaps were highest during a women鈥檚 childbearing and childrearing years. Differences included Sweden鈥檚 universal family policies which resulted in higher female employment rates and a lower gender gap, in contrast to the U.S. and Japan, both of which had lower female employment rates and a higher gender gap. The U.S. had the largest gender poverty gap among the three countries coupled with older women in the U.S. facing a greater risk of poverty.

“Women鈥檚 economic status is often tied to the unequal distribution of family and care responsibilities occurring across the life course. Improving access to quality, affordable child care—and eldercare—has been essential to women鈥檚 progress. Equally important is for workplace norms, policies and structures to change so that both women and men are enabled to access child and/or elder care services without career risk and stigma. Changing mindsets around gender roles and worker rights will require protocols and policies that not only understand the challenges to women鈥檚 equality, but commit to cultural, political and legal strategies to overcome them.” Guo said.

Browne added, “In the U.S., it may be too soon to know if COVID-19 will be a catalyst for promoting new work-life balance policies. Nations can support women鈥檚 immediate economic needs via policies such as work-life balance policies but must also commit to longer term strategies for creating stronger systems, policies and institutions that reflect women鈥檚 diverse experiences and ages. As the World Bank, the OECD, and other global institutions have noted, smart nations and companies that understand this will prosper.”

This research was supported by and was published in the June issue of .

This work is an example of 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

Hiring, promotion and tenure within universities are based on objective metrics of performance, something that is often evaluated using metrics that disproportionately favor men over women, such as citations and invited lectureships.

A growing body of work has identified bias in favor of men across nearly all traditional academic evaluation metrics. Biased metrics can impact women鈥檚 career opportunities, especially in STEM fields. The result is a gender gap at high levels of academic achievement and control of decision-making in academic settings.

Recent work from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in collaboration with the University of British Columbia, led by Bjarne Bartlett, a graduate student in the , looked at modern, digital metrics (termed “altmetrics”) and their potential to reduce biases that have systematically devalued the achievements of women in STEM. The research is .

“Our goal is for 糖心Vlog官方 to become a national leader in the next-generation of equitable practices for recruitment and promotion,” said Bartlett. “糖心Vlog官方 prides itself on diversity and inclusion. This study offers new knowledge that can be leveraged for more equitable hiring and promotion practices.”

The , a relatively new attention measurement, is the most popular of these digital metrics and was therefore the subject of the study. Excitingly, the team found the Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) to be mostly unbiased, unlike any of the traditional metrics, when it was assessed among six major journals.

“We hope that unbiased metrics such as altmetrics will increasingly be used to evaluate academic performance, helping women push through the leaky pipeline in STEM,” said Julie Fortin, of the University of British Columbia, who co-led the study.

“Since 2011, only the journal Science in 2017 and 2018, favored a specific gender (male) in the magnitude of the AAS,” said Michael Kantar, an assistant professor in Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences. “The difference was large, equating to roughly 22 more tweets or three more news mentions per article for men in 2017, and 88 more tweets or 11 more news mentions per article in 2018.”

“This adds to the body of literature showing that we don’t value contributions equally, actively choosing to use metrics that do a better job would help the University of Hawaiʻi live up to its goals,” added Kantar.

This research is an example of 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa鈥檚 goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

This message was shared with the faculty, staff and students of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on March 30, 2020.

Aloha University of Hawaiʻi students:

As we all come to terms with the many changes and the disruption of connections and routines that sustain and comfort us, we want to reach out and remind you that we are here for you. The university remains committed to maintaining communities and campus environments free from sex discrimination and gender-based violence.

We are aware that people who are surviving violence may be experiencing increased isolation and danger caused by confinement, economic stress and health insecurity. Our Title IX resources, mental health and counseling services, and community advocacy and legal services are working to continue our support for students and employees.

Many coordinators and on-campus and off-campus services are offering remote meetings and appointments, online or by phone, and some remain on campus for in-person assistance. We encourage you to contact services by email or by phone to make an appointment. In the event of an emergency, please call 911.

Contact information for all campus Title IX team members and on- and off-campus resources can be found at the 糖心Vlog官方 System Title IX website.

Important reminders:

1. Making a report: Student and employees impacted by sex discrimination are encouraged to contact their Title IX coordinator to make a report. Complaint processing, investigations and interim measures, will continue to ensure that any type of discriminatory behavior is addressed promptly.
2. Behaviors, persons and places covered by 糖心Vlog官方 policy: The University of Hawaiʻi Policies and Procedures relevant to Sex Discrimination and Gender-Based Violence include behaviors that occur between students, faculty, staff, and third parties. This applies to online and virtual misconduct. Any behavior that is prohibited by policy is also prohibited in cyber-forms, including cyber-harassment, cyber-bullying and cyber-stalking. Each person is expected to engage in non-discriminatory and respectful behavior during online classes and meetings just as they would be expected to if they were in class or a meeting physically.
3. Responsible employees: Faculty and staff members who are designated as Responsible Employees under 糖心Vlog官方 Policy and Procedure on Sex Discrimination and Gender-Based Violence are reminded that reporting of alleged gender-based and sexual misconduct is expected within 3 calendar days of the moment they become aware of incidents or allegations involving behavior that potentially violates 糖心Vlog官方 sex discrimination policy, regardless of how they learn of the potential misconduct, whether in person, in writing or online. Students should be aware that disclosures made to faculty members and other employees designated as Responsible Employees cannot be kept confidential. Access confidential advice and guidance at Confidential Resources.
4. Legal services in the community: Please be aware that all essential court proceedings, including restraining order and protective order hearings, are still occuring. For assistance with or information on legal proceedings, please contact your local community service providers. More information from the .

All referenced resources including confidential resource information, Title IX Coordinator contact information, 糖心Vlog官方 non-discrimination policies and guidance, and online Title IX training can be found at the .

Stay safe and be well!

The Office of Institutional Equity
institutional.equity@hawaii.edu

One out of five University of Hawaiʻi students reported experiencing dating/domestic violence. It鈥檚 just one of the findings from the 2017 online survey of 糖心Vlog官方 students on sexual harassment and gender-based violence, and the university is asking students to participate in a follow up online survey from January 22 to February 22, 2019.

• 糖心Vlog官方 Sex-Based Discrimination and Harassment Student Survey
• More information on the survey

Student perspectives are critical when it comes to the university appropriately addressing sexual harassment and gender-based issues. The 2017 survey results led to expanded efforts to provide support for victims of dating and domestic violence.

“To better understand our campus environments and how the university鈥檚 policies, programs and resources have affected your educational experience at 糖心Vlog官方, I urge all students to complete the survey,” said 糖心Vlog官方 President . “Your participation is critical to our efforts in continuing to create and sustain a path for your success at 糖心Vlog官方.”

Those who participate are asked to encourage their fellow students to take the survey, promote #BeHeard糖心Vlog官方 and urge everyone to speak up about sexual harassment and gender-based violence.

Current 糖心Vlog官方 students 18 years and older are eligible to take the confidential, voluntary 糖心Vlog官方 Sex-Based Discrimination and Harassment Student Survey, which is easily accessible online through a hawaii.edu email they received on January 22 titled #BeHeard糖心Vlog官方: Survey on Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Violence on personal computers and mobile devices. The 20-minute survey will ask students about:

• Their campus environment related to sexual harassment and gender-based violence.
• How well students believe the 糖心Vlog官方 community responds to and addresses their concerns.
• Their awareness of resources and reporting options for those experiencing sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking and interpersonal violence (domestic and dating violence).
• Prevalence (e.g., how widespread) and incidence (e.g., how often) of sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking and interpersonal violence on the campuses.

Data from the survey will also be used to inform 糖心Vlog官方 about marginalized groups on the different campuses and their varying levels of risk, and will address the needs of these students.

The survey is coordinated by the 糖心Vlog官方 Office of Institutional Equity and conducted by OmniTrak Group, Inc with consultant researchers, Professors Sandra L. Martin and Bonnie S. Fisher, who consulted on the Association of American Universities 2015 Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct.

The University of Hawaiʻi released the results of a groundbreaking sex-based discrimination and harassment student survey. Nationally it is one of the first known surveys of college students to explore intimate partner violence and is the first known survey of students in a university system that includes both four- and two-year degree campuses. Another important element that makes the survey unique and comprehensive is that it asked students about their experiences both on and off campus.

• Read the survey results
• Download the highlights from the 2017 survey (PDF)

More than 6,300 students, or 14.1 percent of 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 approximately 44,000 adult students participated. The 261-page survey report provides data on each of the 10 糖心Vlog官方 campuses. The survey consisted of 125 questions that covered four areas: prevalence of sexual harassment and gender-based violence, student assessment of the university鈥檚 response, student perceptions of campus safety and student awareness of policies, processes and programs.

“This survey is the latest step we have taken to further our commitment to ensure safe and respectful campus environments,” said 糖心Vlog官方 President . “The majority of students who participated said they felt the survey was valuable for developing campus policies, which is helpful because students鈥� continued engagement is critical. Together with the findings, student feedback will help 糖心Vlog官方 determine where to dedicate our resources and efforts moving forward.”

• 糖心Vlog官方 and community resources

Students feel safe

The survey showed that a vast majority of students generally felt safe and did not see themselves as being at personal risk either on campus or at off-campus 糖心Vlog官方 sponsored events. When asked about the likelihood of experiencing sexual harassment or assault in those environments, 85.3 percent said they felt the likelihood was “little” or “not at all.”

Large majorities of survey participants who contacted 糖心Vlog官方 resources after experiencing sexual harassment or gender-based violence saw their interaction as “very” and “extremely” useful. For instance, when participants were asked about the most-recent interactions with campus resources after they had experienced sexual harassment, 95.8 percent of those interactions were rated as either very or extremely useful in helping the participant deal with the experience. Among all participants, there was a confidence that if they needed to contact campus officials, they would be treated with respect and their privacy and safety would be protected.

Intimate partner violence among key findings

One of the key findings is the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV), also known as dating or domestic violence, with 19.1 percent of the participants who were in a partnered relationship at anytime while enrolled at 糖心Vlog官方 reported experiencing IPV. Additionally, 10 percent say they experienced stalking or sexual harassment and 6.3 percent reported nonconsensual sexual contact. Thirty one percent of those who responded report having experienced at least one incident of IPV, stalking, sexual harassment and/or nonconsensual sexual contact, on and off campus, while enrolled as a 糖心Vlog官方 student.

“We aren鈥檛 surprised by prevalence and incidence rate of domestic violence in the 糖心Vlog官方 survey,” said Nanci Kreidman, CEO. “They reflect a larger societal problem. These numbers track the community and global statistics and 糖心Vlog官方 doesn鈥檛 exist in a vacuum. The incidence rates also track what we know for women aged 18–24.”

Lassner sent a message to students announcing the survey results and encouraged all victims to seek help and to utilize services available.

• Read the letter

“The message that we will continue to repeat to our students is that help is available,” said Jennifer Rose, director of the 糖心Vlog官方 Office of Institutional Equity, which is responsible for the survey. “If you are a victim of sexual harassment or gender violence, campus services are here for you and community resources are readily available.”

Rose also stressed that someone who witnesses or knows someone experiencing harassment or violence, can also access the available services.

“Ultimately, we want students to feel safe in coming forward鈥攚hether to utilize confidential resources or to make a report,” said Rose. “Everyone has a part to play in making our campuses free from sex discrimination鈥攖hat includes trained campus staff and relevant community partners.”

Next steps

Each campus and the 糖心Vlog官方 System are now reviewing the results and will develop action plans that will be implemented in 2018. The results will also be used to establish a baseline with the next survey scheduled in 2019.

The data will be used to assess the university鈥檚 progress and to guide policy, training and initiatives to meet the university鈥檚 obligations under the Violence Against Women Act and Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sexual discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal funding.

Survey information

The survey was conducted by OmniTrak Group Inc. from January 20 to February 20, 2017, with consultation from nationally-renowned subject matter experts Professor Sandra L. Martin and Professor Bonnie S. Fisher who consulted on the Association of American Universities 2015 Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct. Considered a national best practice, the survey was one of the many steps identified and pursued by the university to strengthen its Title IX response and support services. It received widespread support from state lawmakers and was mandated by the legislature through Act 208 in 2016.

The survey cost $173,824.00 was paid for with general funds appropriated by the legislature for the 糖心Vlog官方 Office of Institutional Equity.

Aloha to all our 糖心Vlog官方 students, and welcome (back) to campus!

In spring 2017, more than 6,300 of our 44,000 students from the 10 糖心Vlog官方 campuses, participated in a survey that asked about experiences with sexual harassment and gender-based violence on and off campus. While this was not connected to the #metoo movement, completion of the analysis is particularly timely now. I encourage everyone to take the time to review the results as they provide insight into issues that may have either impacted you directly, or someone you know.

/titleix/climate-survey/results/

The survey results will be used by the individual campuses to form action plans that address the identified needs. Importantly, these results will also provide a baseline for assessing the university鈥檚 progress with follow-up surveys scheduled every two years.

One thing that stood out in the inaugural survey is the prevalence of intimate partner violence, also known as dating or domestic violence: 19.1 percent of respondents who were in a partnered relationship at anytime while enrolled at 糖心Vlog官方 reported experiencing intimate partner violence.

If you are a victim of intimate partner violence or any other type of sexual harassment or gender-based violence, please know that the following help is available, including on a confidential basis.

Confidential Resources
/titleix/confidential/

糖心Vlog官方 System Title IX and Office of Institutional Equity Website
/titleix/

Campus Title IX Coordinators

糖心Vlog官方 is committed to ensuring safe and respectful campus environments. Students as well as our entire community have important roles to play by being aware of the issues, watching out for one another and reporting violations. I encourage everyone, if you have not already, to take the free, online Title IX training for students.
/titleix/lawroom/students

Training for employees is available at:
/titleix/lawroom/employees

We have made significant strides in addressing these issues over the past several years, but our goal is campus life free of sexual harassment and gender-based violence and we have even more to do.

Please enjoy a safe and successful academic year!

David Lassner
糖心Vlog官方 President

finds that Social Security benefits are especially crucial for older women in Hawaiʻi, who are more likely to live in poverty and less likely to have access to assets or savings in retirement. This report, released by Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work at the , is a first in examining more closely the economic status of older adults in Hawaiʻi by gender and race/ethnicity.

Just over nine percent (9.1 percent) of older women in Hawaiʻi live in poverty, compared with 5.8 percent of older men. Single older women in Hawaiʻi, however, are three times more likely than married older women to be living in poverty (13.0 percent and 4.1 percent poverty rates, respectively). The majority of older women in Hawaiʻi are single, while the majority of older men are married. There are also differences by race/ethnicity—rates of pension coverage are highest among older Japanese women and lowest among older Filipinas and rates of marriage also vary, with Filipinas most likely and Native Hawaiian women least likely to be married.

• Read the full report:

Economic challenges stem from gender inequities

“Many of the economic challenges that older women experience stem from inequities that women face earlier in life, including a persistent wage gap, the high cost of child care and a shortage of affordable housing. This builds up over the course of a lifetime and limits women’s ability to lay the foundation for economic security in retirement, especially for the many older single women living without a spouse,” said Colette Browne, Richard S. and T. Rose Takasaki Endowed Professor in Social Policy at the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work and author of the report’s recommendations.

The paper finds that Social Security is the most common source of income for both older men and women in Hawaiʻi, and is especially crucial for women. In Hawaiʻi, nearly 40 percent (39.4 percent) of older women’s annual income is from Social Security, compared with 29 percent of older men’s. Still, Social Security benefits received by older women in Hawaiʻi total about 80 percent of the amount older men receive ($12,000, compared with $15,158).

Older men have greater access to pensions, retirement savings, and asset income than older women. Nearly half (47 percent) of older men receive income from a pension or retirement savings plan, compared with just over a third (35.5 percent) of older women in the state. Even for those with a pension or retirement savings plan, women’s median annual income is about 60 percent of men’s ($12,596 compared with $21,344).

Strategies to address inequity

The report concludes with recommendations for Hawaiʻi policymakers to focus on strategies and programs that alleviate age-, gender- and race-based inequalities and poverty across the lifespan.

Strategies to address inequity and support the health, educational and employment aspirations of women of every age in Hawaiʻi, coupled with policies that support women with child and elder caregiving responsibilities, such as paid sick days, paid family leave and an affordable and secure long-term care funding mechanism, would bolster women’s financial security throughout their life course and especially in their later years.

“Today’s younger woman is tomorrow’s older woman, so improving the economic status of older women in Hawaiʻi must start with addressing inequality at school, work and home,” said Browne. “But, we must also pay attention to the needs of older women today, and this means honoring women’s contributions to family and community, protecting Social Security and committing ourselves to funding for health and long-term care if and when disabilities occur.

The findings are presented in a paper by the . The Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work funded the analysis and authored the paper’s recommendations through the school’s Takasaki Endowment.

—By Theresa Kreif

Are there gender differences in how males and females react to nutrients? University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researcher Marla Berry is working to find out. Her efforts are part of a new initiative announced by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to begin addressing persistent gender bias in laboratory research.

Women are not adequately represented in many clinical trials of new drugs and medical devices, according to NIH. The gender bias starts at an early stage of the scientific process—traditionally many investigators have worked only with male lab animals, concerned that the hormonal cycles of female animals would add variability and skew study results.

Berry, chair of cellular and molecular biology at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, will focus on gender differences in animal models with metabolic syndrome, a precursor to diabetes and in neurological development and disorders. Specifically, her study will zero in on how the body handles the essential nutrient selenium, known for its antioxidant properties.

Two independent reports highlighted a potential increase in risk of developing type 2 diabetes following high intake of selenium. Importantly, analysis of the data from both studies clearly indicates that the reported increased risk is confined to males. Berry’s studies show that genetic alterations in the way the body handles selenium result in similar consequences in male mice, providing a laboratory model to investigate the underlying causes of these gender differences.

National Institutes of Health call to end research gender bias

The $100,000 grant awarded to Berry is part of $10.1 million in funding being distributed to some 80 scientists in the U.S. studying a diverse array of subjects, including drug addiction, fetal development, migraines and stroke.

The researchers will use the additional funds to include more human participants—generally women—in clinical trials and to ensure that their laboratory animals, even cell lines, are representative of both genders. The money also will be used to analyze gender differences in the resulting data, officials said.

“It’s an early first step we’re taking to encourage people to see the value of studying sex as a biological variable,” said Janine Austin Clayton, associate director for women’s health research at NIH. “What we are after is to transform how people think about science and therefore transform how science is done.”

Scientists often prefer single-sex studies because “it reduces variability, and makes it easier to detect the effect that you’re studying,” said Abraham A. Palmer, an associate professor of human genetics at the University of Chicago. “The downside is that if there is a difference between male and female, they’re not going to know about it.”

This year, in a commentary in the journal Nature, Clayton and Francis S. Collins, director of NIH, called for an end to this bias, and warned scientists they must begin testing their hypotheses in female lab animals, tissues and cell lines.

Said Hawaiʻi’s Berry, “As an institution that has one of the highest percentages of women in leadership positions in the country, we are proud to be at the forefront of investigations on gender differences and gender bias in research. Our focus on gender differences related to metabolic syndrome and diabetes makes this research particularly relevant here in Hawaiʻi, where we have a high incidence of diabetes.”

—By Tina Shelton