The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated every year on the 11th of February since 2015. This day was implemented by UNESCO in collaboration with institutions and civil society partners that aim to promote women and girls in science. The 11th of February is another opportunity for us to promote equality, equal access and equal participation of women and girls in science. UNESCO global priority in gender equality and supporting young girls to the full extent of their abilities to make their ideas heard through education for development and peace.
This Day is a reminder that women and girls play a critical role in science and technology communities and that their participation should be strengthened.
“If we are to be able to address the enormous challenges of the twenty-first century – from climate change to technological disruption - we will need to rely on science and the mobilization of all our resources. It is for this reason that the world must not be deprived of the potential, the intelligence, or the creativity of the thousands of women who are victims of deep-seated inequality and prejudice. On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2020, UNESCO is calling on the international community, States and individuals to work together so that equality in the sciences and other fields can finally become a reality. Humanity has everything to gain– and so does science”.
— Audrey Azoulay, Director-General, International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2020
In the last 15 years, the global community has inspired change in engaging women and girls in science worldwide. For girls, however, is excluded from fully participating in science is still very much a reality. According to UNESCO, currently, less than 30% of all female students decide to pursue STEM-related field in higher education (2014-2016) and the international female enrolment in ICT is particularly low, at only 3%, only 5% in natural science mathematics and statistics and only 8% in engineering, manufacturing and construction.
Biases, gender stereotypes and expectations of women steer girls and women away from science-related fields. Women in STEM fields publish less, are paid less for their research, and do not progress as far as men in their careers. Girls are often made to believe they are not smart enough for STEM, or that boys and men have a natural affinity for the field. In 2015, the Gender Bias Without Borders study by Geena Davis Institut that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and the community. It is vital that we bridge the gender gap in STEM in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for creating infrastructure, services and solutions that work for all people. On 11 February, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, calling on our global society to smash stereotypes, defy the gender biases and defeat discrimination that holds women and girls back in STEM fields.
Our future will be enhanced by scientific and technological progress. However, this can only be achieved when women and girls are fully supported by being creators, owners, and leaders of science, technology and innovation. UN Women calls for investment and opportunities for women and girls to learn, grow and innovate in science and technology, and for companies around the world to adopt the Women’s Empowerment Principles that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and the community. It is vital that we bridge the gender gap in STEM in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for creating infrastructure, services and solutions that work for all people. On 11 February, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, calling on our global society to smash stereotypes, defy the gender biases and defeat discrimination that hold women and girls back in STEM fields.
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