PURPOSE: In order to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, the empowerment of women and girls, the United Nations General Assembly declaring 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. On 20 December 2013, the General Assembly adopted a resolution on science, technology and innovation for development, in which it recognized that full and equal access to and participation in science, technology and innovation for women and girls of all ages is imperative for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
FORUM: “Closing the Gender Gap in Science: Accelerating Action.” International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2024. Despite the progress made in recent decades, still today only one in three researchers globally is a woman. This persistent gender disparity is the result of the numerous barriers that female scientists continue to face – lack of role models and mentorship programmes, disparities in the quality and accessibility of science education, insufficient professional structures and inadequate workplace cultures, and the glass ceiling phenomenon, all of which can discourage girls from pursuing scientific careers and hinder the progress of women in the field. The following discussions will be held on this occasion
Roundtable 1 - UNESCO Campus - Fostering Girls’ Interest in Science through Innovative Education in the Digital Age.
Roundtable 2 - Promoting Empowering Work Environments for Women in Science.
Roundtable 3 - Inspiring Women and Girls in Science through Role Models and Mentors.
Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #11February, #WomeninScience; #GirlsinScience.
EVENTS: The Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT), co-organizing and co-sponsoring Member States, UN Agencies and Intergovernmental Organizations are celebrating the 9th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly.
AT UNHQ -The 9th International Day of Women & Girls in Science Assembly will bring together women in science leaders and experts from around the world, high-level government officials, representatives of international organizations and the private sector to discuss women leadership in achieving the three pillars of Sustainable Development, namely economic prosperity, social justice, and environmental integrity. Recognizing the role of women and girls in science as agents of change and the importance of mainstreaming a gender perspective in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, the main theme for the 9th IDWGIS Assembly is: "Women and Girls in Science Leadership – a New Era for Sustainability". Read the Concept Note and Watch the Part 1 - International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Part 2 - International Day of Women and Girls in Science and the Part 3 - International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
AT UNESCO HQ - On Friday, February 9th, from 9.30 a.m.to 5.30 p.m. in the Room II. The UNESCO, in collaboration with L’Association fédérative nationale des étudiantes universitaires scientifiques (AFNEUS), will host a full-day event in celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2024. The event will bring together Member States, accomplished and emerging scientists (including the alumnae of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Programme), stakeholders from the public and private sectors, UNESCO scientific networks and Chairs, as well as students. The event will build on the key findings and recommendations that emerged from the UNESCO Global Forum “The Future for Women and Girls in Science” held in June 2023 and the AFNEUS “Women in Science” Congress held in February 2022. In particular, it will provide the multi-stakeholder platform:
- To unveil the UNESCO Call for Action “Closing the gender gap in science” which provides recommendations aimed at tackling the root causes of gender-based inequalities in science. The Call for Action has been developed based on the contributions from a multitude of stakeholders following the Global Forum "The Future for Women and Girls in Science".
- To share valuable insights on initiatives, resources, and best practices to put the Call for Action in practice and to discuss ways and means to make significant progress in key action areas, namely: innovative education, empowering work environments, and role models/mentors.
Get the concept note, agenda programme and the flyer of the event.
STATEMENTS: Read the statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2024: February 11th and the Joint message from the Director-General of UNESCO and the Executive Director of UN Women, on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2024, February 11th.
PODCASTS: Tackling some of the greatest challenges of the Agenda for Sustainable Development -- from improving health to combating climate change -- will rely on harnessing all talent. That means getting more women working in these fields. Diversity in research expands the pool of talented researchers, bringing in fresh perspectives, talent and creativity. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Closing the Gender Gap in Science: Accelerating Action. This Day is a reminder that women and girls play a critical role in science and technology communities and that their participation should be strengthened. Your action will add to the collective voices on Equality in Science. Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE IT?
February 11th is celebrated globally in different ways, big and small to recognizing the role of women in science as agents of change to accelerate progress towards the achievement of SDGs.
The Day focuses on the reality that science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. we need to provide more opportunities in science and innovation to women.
Let’s celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science to achieve equality in science, technology, and innovation for Socio-Economic Sustainable Development by 2030 and beyond.
ACTIONS
Acknowledge the significance of the involvement and participation of women and girls in science for the future of the world
Recognize the critical role women and girls play in STEM
Promote women in science to reach our full potential
Get girls into science education and Ensure their rightful place in these professions and industries
Promote efforts to achieve gender equality in science
Join women experts, youth, and professionals in dialogues and discussion to put Science, Technology, and Innovation at the heart of sustainable development programs.
Perfect Opportunities for Private Sector to align its business with the crucial Global Goal of empowering Women and Girls in Science.
PARTNERS
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is organized in partnerships with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the UNESCO; the UNICEF; The UN-Women; The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO); The International Labour Organization (ILO);The International Telecommunication Union (ITU); The United Nations Institute for Research (UNITAR); the UNCTAD. With the participation of the Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT), the Permanent Missions of Chile, Lebanon, Malta, Poland, Portugal, the Philippines, Rwanda, Slovakia, and Spain, to the United Nations, and co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh,Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Finland, France, Georgia, Honduras, Hungary, Kenya, the Maldives, Romania, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkiye, Russian Federation to the United Nations, as well as the African Union and the League of Arab States.
Make a donation.
Invest in Edducation. Help a Girl or a student to achieve her career in Science; Technology; Engineering; Mathematics.