The United Nations(UN)’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science is annually observed across the globe on 11th February to recognize the critical role women and girls play in science and technology.
The 11th February 2022 marks the observance of the 7th International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
The theme of the 2022 International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly is “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Water Unites Us”.
- The day is implemented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and UN-Women (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women), in collaboration with institutions and civil society partners that aim to promote women and girls in science.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/70/212 on 22nd December 2015 and proclaimed the 11th February of every year as the International Day of
Women and Girls in Science.
ii.The first ever International Day of Women and Girls in Science was observed on 11th February 2016.
Significance:
i.The day provides an opportunity to address the significant gender gap at all levels of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines across the globe.
ii.The day also highlights that women are under-represented in these fields, even though they have made progress towards increasing their participation in higher education.
Events:
i.The 7th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly was organised in virtual format on 11th February 2022 from the UN headquarters in New York, United States of America (USA).
Aim:
To recognize the role of women and girls in science, as beneficiaries, and agents of change, in view of accelerating progress towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: clean water and sanitation for all.
- The 7th Assembly is co-organized by the Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT) and the Permanent Missions of Cyprus, Kenya, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Rwanda, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Tajikistan to the United Nations.
ii.As a part of the observation, UNESCO has also organised the Exhibition Creative Resilience – Art by Women in Science, showcasing the artwork of 54 women scientists from across the world at Expo 2020 Dubai from 7th to 24th February 2022.
Key Points:
i.Women represent 33.3% of all researchers, only 12% of members of national science academies are women.
ii.In several cutting edge fields like Artificial Intelligence(AI), only 1 in 5professionals, i.e., 22%, is a woman.
iii.By 2026, the Action Coalition aims to double the proportion of women working in technology and innovation, and ensure that women and girls participate fully in finding solutions to the largest and most complex problems of our lives.
About UN Women:
Executive Director– Sima Bahous
Headquarters- New York, United States of America (USA)
