The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed by the United Nations (UN) on 11 February each year. The day aims to promote the participation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
It also aims to raise awareness about the contribution of women and girls in the field of science and technology.
This year marks the seventh observance of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
History:
A significant gender gap exists in STEM fields to date. The Commission on the Status of Women, in 2011, adopted a report at its 55th session, which called for equal access to decent work and full employment and “participation of women and girls in education, training and science, and technology”, as per the website of the United Nations.
In 2013, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution that recognized that the participation of girls in women in STEM research and innovation is crucial for achieving gender equality. In the year 2015, UNGA declared 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
The day is implemented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and UN-Women, in coordination with civil society institutions.
Theme:
This year, the theme for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Water Unites Us”.
The seventh International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly, which is being held on 11 February this year in New York, will focus on women and girls as agents of change, especially towards the fulfillment of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of clean water and sanitation.
Significance:
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is significant as it aims to reduce the gender gap in STEM disciplines. As per the UN, only 33 percent of researchers are women. Women researchers are funded less compared to their male counterparts and are also underrepresented in high-profile journals.
Women account for 40 percent of graduates in the field of computer science and informatics and 28 percent of engineering graduates. In cutting-edge research areas such as artificial intelligence, only about one in five professionals (22 percent) is a woman.
Women form a mere 12 percent of the membership of national science academies, as per statistics by the United Nations.
In this year’s message on the occasion of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that structural and societal barriers prevent women and girls from progressing in STEM disciplines.
He called for member nations to develop an environment where women and girls could achieve their full potential and become leading scientists and innovators.
This year, the theme for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is 'Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Water Unites Us'
International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2022: History, theme and significance of this day
This year, the theme for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is 'Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Water Unites Us'
International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2022: Theme, History And Significance
International Day of Women and Girls in Science recognises the important role women play in the field of science and technology. (Representative Image Shutterstock)
The theme for International Day of Women and Girls in Science this year is 'Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Water Unites Us'.
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International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2022: Observed on February 11 every year, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science was declared by the United Nations General Assembly. This day recognises the important role women play in the field of science and technology. Gender equality and science are crucial for achieving development goals, which include the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Our community has made several efforts to engage women and girls in science but they continue to exclude from participating fully in the field.
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE: HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE
Gender equality remains a priority of the United Nations and to fully achieve the goal and give access to the participation of girls and women in science, the General Assembly dedicated February 11 as International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2015.
Over decades, levels of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics have seen a significant gender gap all over the world. Although women have made a progress by increasing their participation in higher education, they remain to be under-represented in the field of science and technology. By making women involved in this field, the UN targets to achieve the 2030 goal for Sustainable Development.
International Days and weeks are observed by the UN to educate the public on a certain issue. In 2018, one in three women accounted for researchers in the world. They have achieved parity in science in several countries and also dominate this field in a few cases. However, they remain a minority in the fields of digital information technology, computers, physics, mathematics and engineering. These fields are on a digital transformation and revolution which promise jobs in the present and future, making it important for women to participate.
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INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE 2022 THEME
The theme for International Day of Women and Girls in Science this year is ‘Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Water Unites Us’. The UN reported that people around the world do not have much access to water. On this day, they will be educating governments about the rising demand, poor management, and water conservation to acquire sustainable development. The 7th International Day of Women in Science will be held on a virtual platform amid the Pandemic.
They aim to display women as not only beneficiaries but also agents of change. Along with several speeches by notable leaders on the occasion, the program will feature a unique Ebru Water Art Performance for the first time to mark the 7th Anniversary of the # February 11 Global Movement. The event will also showcase best practices, strategies, solutions, and experiences in reference to the SDG6 challenges and opportunities through the UN Headquarters in New York, from the Cansu Global Media Room.
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