United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science is annually observed across the globe on February 11 to promote the full and equal access and participation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
- The day celebrates women and girls who have devoted themselves to science and the advancement of human knowledge and understanding as students, researchers, and practitioners.
11th February 2023 marks the observance of the 8th International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
The theme of International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023 is “Innovate, Demonstrate, Elevate, Advance, Sustain. (IDEAS): Bringing communities Forward for sustainable and equitable development”.
Note: The day was 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 February 11 of every year as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
ii. The 1st ever International Day of Women and Girls in Science was observed on 11th February 2016.
Aim:
The day aims to build a bridge between the international community and women in science by connecting women in science’s knowledge and skills with its applications in a systematic, critical way for the 2030 agenda and its 17 global goals.
Event:
i. The 8th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly took place at the United Nations Headquarters, New York City, United States of America (USA).
ii. The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing (OWSD) and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) have organized a dedicated event for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science to promote gender equality in science.
- The event was organised on 10th February 2023 in ICTP’s Budinich Lecture Hall.
Note: In 2022, 25 women scientists from the developing world received OWSD Early Career Fellowships with USD 50,000.
Key Points:
i. Women make up 33.3% of all researchers, while just 12% of national science academy members are women.
ii. Only one in five (22%) specialists in cutting-edge sectors like artificial intelligence (AI) are women.
iii. Women still make up only 28% of engineering graduates and 40% of computer science and informatics graduates, despite a skills gap in the majority of technology professions driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Note: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be the main topic of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023, which will be examined at the upcoming High-Level Political Forum (HLPF).
About the UN Women:
Executive Director- Sima Bahous
Headquarters- New York, USA
Establishment- 2010
