Women of ERA Task Force

I. Objectives

The main purpose of the Women of ERA (WERA) Task Force is to raise awareness of gender balance in nephrology, and the importance of encouraging female nephrologists to actively contribute to scientific research and dissemination through their participation in educational events (congresses, CME, e-seminars) as speakers. The WERA Task Force, in cooperation with the Electronic Communication Committee (ECC) of the ERA, promotes specific awareness campaigns and could organise, in collaboration with the Chair of the Scientific Committee of the ERA Congress, a special session about women in nephrology at the ERA annual Congress.

As for all ERA Task Forces, the duration is three years with the aim of achieving specific tasks. The Council will review the achievements of the Task Force on a regular basis and, in any case, at least once a year. Finally, the Council can decide to extend the duration of the Task Force if needed, however, if this happens, a rotation of the Task Force members and thus a new call for members is advisable.

II. Duties 

Leadership: To promote women’s leadership in nephrology societies and organisations and to contribute to the growing influence in the field.   

Encouraging female nephrologists to actively contribute to scientific dissemination through their participation in educational events (congresses, CME, e-seminars) as speakers. 

Organize a presentation within the annual ERA Congress on the “Women in Nephrology” topic, the type of the presentation is subject to the final evaluation/approval of the ERA Congress Scientific Committee and Council. 

Publication and Advocacy for Gender Equity: Actively participate in discussions and publications related to gender equity in medicine, and advocate for equal opportunities and fair treatment for all healthcare professionals, regardless of gender. 

Progress and innovation: Promote the role of women in contributing to advances in renal care, including the development of new treatment modalities, improvements in dialysis techniques, and innovations in transplantation procedures. 

Mentorship:  Promote the role of women as mentors to medical students, residents and junior faculty to help them navigate their careers in nephrology.   

Organising networking activities for ERA female members both at the ERA annual Congress and online throughout the year. 

Community Involvement: Being active in their local communities, participating in health meetings, screenings and community outreach programmes to promote kidney health and raise awareness of kidney disease. 

III. Tasks

1. The various activities of the Task Force should produce papers that should be submitted for publication (following peer review) in the ERA Journals (NDT-CKJ). The Task Force should also produce statements and make scientific articles aiming to promote gender balance in nephrology. The paper publication policy can be found here. 
2. At least one awareness campaign per year must be distributed through the official ERA communication channels with the aim of raising awareness on the importance of stimulating the active participation of female representatives in research and scientific dissemination.  

IV. Contribution to the ERA Annual Congress 

1. To organise networking activities within a dedicated space at the Membership Networking lounge 
2. To manage a session within the Congress Scientific programme on the “Women in nephrology” topic 

As happens for all other ERA bodies, all projects and proposals need to be approved by the Council. 

To this end, once a year, the WERA Task Force will submit an annual report with finalized projects and new proposals to the Council for approval. 

V. Task Force members, nominations, and terms

1. The Task Force should have up to 6 members: a Chair, an Ex-Officio Member and up to 4 Ordinary Task Force Members.
2. The Ex-Officio Member should be the current ECC (Electronic Communication Committee) Chair or an ECC Board Member with an interest in the topic.
3. At least 1 position should be reserved for a YNP representative.
4. All the members of the WERA Task Force, including the Chair, the Ex-Officio Member and the Ordinary Members, will only have a term of 3 years (not renewable).
5. All Task Force members should be ERA Full Members.
6. The Chair and the 4 Ordinary Task Force Members must have a proven interest or knowledge in the topic, motivated and dedicated to awareness campaigns, or be otherwise useful to the Task Force.
7. Eligible candidates for the position of Chair as well as the position of Ordinary Task Force Members should use a specific candidacy application form.
8. The Chair candidates need to provide (at the moment of the application) a three-year programme, with outputs and milestones.
9. All candidates need to provide a motivational letter.
10. All candidates (including the Chair) need to be evaluated and appointed by the Council.
11. Any member can end their position within the Task Force by voluntary resignation, by exclusion due to serious and well-founded reasons, or by not attending two Task Force meetings in a year without a valid reason.
12. All the members of the Task Force should actively support the goals and thus the tasks of the Task Force. The Council will be supporting and overseeing the development of the results on a yearly basis. If after a year the Task Force is unable to fulfil the main tasks the Council will be able to substitute Task Force members as needed.
13. During elections/voting held within the Task Force, in case of an equal number of votes, the Chair has the casting vote.
14. A diploma will be given to all Task Force Members ending their term. For more information, one should refer to the appropriate section in the “General Rules for ERA Committees”.
15. The WERA Task Force is supported in its activities by the ERA HQ.

VI. Task Force Meetings

1. The Chair of the WERA Task Force can be invited when deemed necessary to attend specific parts of Council Meetings.
2. The WERA Task Force Members should meet regularly to pursue its tasks/goals, possibly via teleconference, however, and only if needed, one face-to-face meeting each year is possible at the ERA Headquarters.
3. For the rules regarding the reimbursement policy for the WERA Task Force Members who participate in face-to-face meetings one must refer to the “General Rules for ERA Committees”.
4. All ERA WERA Task Force publications and initiatives must clearly mention the fact that the Task Force is an official body of ERA and must comply with what is written with regard to this matter in the “General Rules for ERA Committees”. The sentence approved by the Council related to this matter is: “This article (to be adapted accordingly) was written by (to be adapted accordingly) on behalf of the ERA WERA Task Force which is an official body of the ERA (European Renal Association)”.

VII. Varia 

1. The Task Force will have a logo and a dedicated webpage on the ERA website. 
2. Regular up-dates will be prepared and sent to the whole ERA database via the official ERA Newsletter (Flash). 

Last update: November 2023