Every year on February 11, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated by the United Nations to encourage women’s equal and full access to and involvement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Theme of the year
The theme of the 8th International Day of Women and Girls in Science is IDEAS (Innovate, Demonstrate, Elevate, Advance, Sustain). The goal is to establish a bridge between the world community and women in science by carefully and objectively relating their knowledge and expertise and its applications to the 2030 agenda and its 17 global goals.
In order to promote future-oriented strategies, the goal this year is to improve the visibility of women and girls in science within the worldwide community and to strengthen the links between science, policy, and society. The UN will address the challenges and opportunities associated with achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the presentation of best practises, strategies, and workable solutions.
There will also be a science workshop for blind girls and a talk titled “Science in Braille: Making Science Accessible.” The training and session will be held for the first time.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science: History
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science was established by the United Nations in 2015 in an effort to further the goal of gender equality and give girls and women access to study in the technical, scientific, and mathematical fields. Despite significant progress in increasing their involvement in higher education, women remain underrepresented in these fields.
This day gives us the opportunity to acknowledge the contribution that women and girls have already made to science and to encourage young girls to pursue careers in STEM fields. Additionally, it provides assistance to women and girls who are interested in technical and scientific fields in their academic and professional endeavours.