On 11 February, the United Nations, partners worldwide, women and girls will mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. 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.
Background
A significant gender gap has persisted throughout the years at all levels of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines all over the world. Even though women have made tremendous progress towards increasing their participation in higher education, they are still under-represented in these fields. Gender equality has always been a core issue for the United Nations. Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls will make a crucial contribution not only to the economic development of the world but to progress across all the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well.
On 14 March 2011, the Commission on the Status of Women adopted a report at its fifty-fifth session, with agreed conclusions on access and participation of women and girls in education, training and science and technology, and for the promotion of women's equal access to full employment and decent work. 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.
Significance
This day is celebrated to remind of the crucial role women and girls play in science and technology communities. International day of women and girls in science also aims to enhance their engagement. According to UN Women, "Women have led ground-breaking research into public health, vaccines, treatments, and innovative technology, and been on the front lines of Covid-19 response as scientists, health care workers and more". Still, the gender gap in science and technology holds women back. According to UNESCO's forthcoming Science Report, only 33 percent of researchers are women, despite the fact that they represent 45 and 55 percent of students at the Bachelor's and Master's levels of study respectively, and 44 percent of those enrolled in Ph.D. programs.
While 70 percent of health and social care workers are women, they are paid 11 percent less than their male counterparts. Therefore, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is a reminder that the world needs science, and science needs women and girls.
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