February 11 — International Day of Women and Girls in Science: To Achieve Gender Equality and Empower Women

The core issue for the United Nations has always been gender equality. It believes that the empowerment of women and girls and gender equality are crucial contributing factors in economic development of any region.

So, to promote and allow equal participation of women and girls in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated each year on February 11.

Achieving Gender Equality and Empowering Women and Girls

On December 20, 2013, a resolution was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on science, technology and innovation for development, recognising that it is essential for women and girls in all age groups to be provided with equal opportunities to participate in science, technology and innovation so that we can achieve gender equality and empower women and girls.

The General Assembly passed a resolution on December 22, 2015, which marks the beginning of annual celebration each year on February 11 for gender equality in science; ultimately, to achieve the goals and targets of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

Promoting and Encouraging Women and Girls in Scientific and Engineering Fields

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is implemented annually by UNESCO in association with UN Women to work towards the goal of promoting and encouraging the role of women and girls in scientific and engineering fields and to celebrate those achievers who are already successful in the STEM fields.

Both these organisations are truly involved in working with various national governments, intergovernmental organisations, civil society partners and corporations to honour women's momentous achievements in science and place a significant focus on girls entering science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers.

Women Are Less Represented in Technical Fields

The STEM fields are the fastest-growing segment of jobs, with employers finding it difficult to find suitable talent. Still, women are not employed extensively in this field. Only 22% women professionals are employed in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence.

In the technological fields that drive the Fourth Industrial Revolution, women account for only 28% of engineering graduates and 40% computer science and informatics graduates. Women researchers are paid less for their work and are not well represented in top journals.

Numerous Employment Opportunities for Women in STEM Fields

Now with growing opportunities for women to enter STEM fields arising, they are being offered a wider variety of employment opportunities along with higher pay than previously they were offered in these fields.

Surely, the demand for STEM skills is growing around the world and we must ensure that women and girls are equally represented.

Providing Opportunity to Women to Follow their Scientific Passions

The day provides us an opportunity to acknowledge the role played by the women and girls in the field of science, encourage the future generations of women to choose the STEM careers and educate and mentor women and girls to follow their technical and scientific passions, providing them enough platform to showcase their talent that will change the world.

Women Achievers in the Field of Science

Throughout the past decades, women in the field of science have achieved greatness through their hard work.

The following are some achievers in the field of science: Janaki Ammal, a renowned botanist and the first scientist to receive the Padma Shri award in 1977; Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian astronaut to flew in Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997; M Vanitha and Ritu Karidhal, these women were behind the Chandrayaan 2, heading the country's ISRO mission and Professor Sarah Gilbert, a professor of vaccinology at Oxford university, the women who designed Oxford vaccine for COVID-19.