How does SA WISE operate? SA WISE is governed by a National Committee, but all members belong to specific branches in each of South Africa's 9 provinces. Each branch has its own Branch Committee. An important function of SA WISE is to improve communication among women scientists and engineers, with e-mail being the preferred medium of communication. Members are encourages to feed ideas and information in to SA WISE and a regular newsletter is circulated via e-mail to all members. (Postal services are used for members who do not have access to e-mail) SA WISE also maintains contact with other assocations of women in science and engineering world-wide. Details of these may found in Links. Read the SA WISE constitution Why does South Africa need women in science and engineering? Africa, including South Africa has a critical shortage of trained technological people. In 1980 North America had 2679 scientists and engineers involved in reserach and developement per million population; Latin America had 251; Africa had only 49. In 1993, the USA had 7600 people per million involved in R & D, Japan had 7300. No figures are available for Africa. Increasing the number of technologically trained people, both men and woment, is essential for development. Also critical for development is the role of women in society. Women have the greatest influence on the next generation, they set the standards for health and hygiene and they form the majority fo the agricultural labour force. Educate a women and you educate the next generation. Girls in Africa should be encouraged to take science subjects, not only those girls who might pursue a scientific or technological career, but also those who would then be enabled to apply scientific concepts in their daily lives. Taking science subjects should not only be seen as a vocation but as a means to develop the scientific and technological culture necessary for development. Women are the greatest resource any country has. Providing encouragement and opportunity for girls and women in science and engineering is one the most powerful ways fo harnessing this resource for the development of the country.