International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023 observed on 11 February

11-02-2023 : The International Day of Women and Girls in Science was established by the UN General Assembly on February 11 in order to recognise the substantial contribution that women make to the disciplines of science and technology. The 2030 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations also include gender equality in science as a key goal.

“Innovate. Demonstrate. Elevate. Advance (IDEA): Bringing communities Forward for Sustainable and Equitable Development” is the topic of the 8th International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This year’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science will concentrate on the relationship between the Sustainable Development Goals and the participation of women and girls in science.

This day gives us the chance to acknowledge the contribution that women and girls have already made to science and to encourage young girls to pursue careers in STEM fields. Additionally, it offers assistance to female students and young people who are interested in technical and scientific fields in their academic and career pursuits.

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science was established by the United Nations in 2015 in an effort to further the goal of gender equality and give girls and women access to study in the technical, scientific, and mathematical fields. Despite significant progress in increasing their involvement in higher education, women remain underrepresented in these fields.

Over the past two decades, women have made great strides in higher education and have earned undergraduate degrees at a higher rate than men. However, despite this progress, women are still underrepresented in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and only earn degrees in these fields at half the rate of men. This disparity has been a cause of concern for the United Nations, leading them to declare February 11th as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

The entry of women into STEM fields opens doors to a wider range of high-paying job opportunities and aligns with the increasing demand for STEM skills globally. It is our responsibility to ensure that women and girls are not left behind in this growth.

This day serves as a celebration of the valuable role that women and girls play in science, a platform for promoting STEM careers to future generations of women, and an opportunity to educate men on their responsibility in supporting and mentoring women and girls in both educational and workplace environments.

It is crucial that we empower women to reach their full potential in STEM fields and witness the positive impact they can have on the world.