The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is being observed on February 11 every year by the United Nations, partners from around the world, and women and girls. The Day focuses on the idea that gender equality and science are both essential for achieving the internationally recognised development objectives, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The UN General Assembly passed a resolution designating February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science in order to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, as well as to ensure that women and girls have full and equal access to and participation in science.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11 allows us to honor women’s significant achievements in science and place a much-needed focus on girls entering Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) jobs. STEM needs women because it is the field of employment with the quickest rate of growth and the hardest time finding qualified candidates. Learn about the trailblazing women in technology today, and encourage young women to follow their interests in STEM by helping them obtain scholarships focused on STEM studies only for women.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE HISTORY

Women have outperformed men in the past 20 years in terms of likelihood of earning an undergraduate degree. Despite their overall success, women still only receive half as many STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degrees as men do. The United Nations took note of this discrepancy and declared February 11 of each year to be International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2015.

Women have more work options and higher compensation than those found in many other sectors thanks to the ability to pursue STEM fields. We must make sure that women and girls do not lose out on the growing global need for STEM talents.

This day gives us the chance to acknowledge the contribution that women and girls already make to science, to encourage younger generations of women to consider STEM careers, and to inform men about their responsibility to support and mentor women and girls who are interested in technical and scientific fields in their academic and professional lives.

The moment has come to realise women's full potential in these sectors and to examine how their contributions might change the world.

On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, let’s reiterate this fundamental message:  Women need science, and science needs women. We can only fully realise the potential of science and meet the problems of our time by utilising all available knowledge and talent.

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