International Day of Women and Girls in Science
February 11 is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. This event promotes full and equal access and participation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Read on to learn more.
Key Info: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
- When is International Day of Women and Girls in Science?
Occurs annually on the 11th of February - This Year (2026):
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 (date has passed) - Official Website: United Nations Official Observance Page
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Future Dates
- Thursday, February 11, 2027
- Friday, February 11, 2028
- Sunday, February 11, 2029
- Monday, February 11, 2030
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Additional Details
- Observed By: Educational institutions, research organizations, governments, and civil society worldwide
- Where Is It Observed: International
- Primary Theme: Gender Equality in Science
- Hashtags: #WomenInScience #GirlsInScience #WomenInSTEM #February11 #STEM4All #WomenInTech
Quick links: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Why the International Day of Women and Girls in Science Matters
Around 355 AD, a woman named Hypatia was born in Alexandria, Egypt. She was a philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer who significantly contributed to mathematics and astronomy.
She was well-regarded by her peers for her intellect and character, and her public lectures were widely admired. Today, Hypatia is a symbol of the enduring impact of women on science. But progress against inequality in science has been glacial.
In 2015, the UN adopted the Sustainable Development Goals, and so they established the International Day of Women and Girls in Science to recognize the potential of women across all goals.
To realize this, the day addresses the gender imbalances in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It also highlights the societal stereotypes that discourage girls from their interest in STEM subjects and limit women from exploring STEM careers.
There are no female role models in STEM to compound the problem. By shining a light on successful women, the day hopes to encourage more people to get involved.
Those already in the science community face pay gaps, limited career progression and work life balance challenges. This is the opportunity to address these.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science is about systemic change to remove barriers and create a more equal science environment.
Data and Statistics
The research community is overwhelmingly male. Only a third of researchers worldwide are women.
They dominate some fields but tech fields with skills shortages have not achieved gender equality. Women are 28% of engineering and 40% of computer science graduates. In artificial intelligence, women account for 22% of working professionals.
According to the US National Science Foundation, women of color make up 11.6% of working scientists and engineers in the US.
5 Notable Women In Science To Inspire Girls
- Marie Curie: A pioneering physicist and chemist, she is the first woman to win a Nobel Prize for leading radioactivity research.
- Katherine Johnson: An African-American mathematician in NSA, her calculations proved critical to the Apollo moon landing's success and subsequent US spaceflights.
- Grace Hopper: A computer Science pioneer, she developed COBOL language and promoted the idea of machine-independent programming languages.
- Jane Goodall: A renowned primatologist, she revolutionized our knowledge of primates, particularly chimpanzee behavior.
- Tu Youyou: A Chinese chemist, she was the first Asian woman to win a Nobel Prize for discovering artemisinin, which is used in malaria therapy.
Why Should More Women Be in the Field?
- Increased diversity in scientific research: Women and girls bring unique perspectives and approaches to scientific research, which can lead to innovative solutions and discoveries.
- Enhanced problem-solving capabilities: Studies have shown that diverse teams are more effective at problem-solving.
- Promotion of gender equality: Encouraging women and girls in science helps to break down gender stereotypes and promotes equality in this traditionally male-dominated field.
- Economic growth and development: Involving women and girls in science allows us to tap into a vastly underutilized talent pool, leading to increased productivity, economic growth, and sustainable development.
- Better health and well-being: Women in science can contribute to health research, particularly in areas that affect women most.
Brief Timeline of International Day of Women and Girls in Science
The Commission on the Status of Women highlighted the importance of equal access for women and girls to education, training, and science and technology, as well as to full employment and decent work.
The UN General Assembly acknowledged that complete and equal participation in science, technology, and innovation is critical for achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls.
The United Nations officially proclaims February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science through resolution A/RES/70/212.
The first International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated worldwide with UNESCO and UN Women.
UN and partners hold first ever global "Women's Science Day" event at UN headquarters in New York with female scientists.
IDWGS Themes and Hashtags
| February 11, 2020 | Investment in Women and Girls in Science for Inclusive Green Growth |
| February 11, 2021 | Women Scientists at the Forefront of the Fight Against COVID-19 |
| February 11, 2022 | Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Water Unites Us |
| February 11, 2023 | Innovate. Demonstrate. Elevate. Advance. |
| February 11, 2024 | Women and Girls in Science Leadership, a New Era for Sustainability |
- #WomenInScience
- #GirlsInScience
- #IDWGS
- #WomenScienceDay
- #ScienceSisters
Conclusion
Together with civil society partners and the private sector, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science promotes gender equality and recognizes women's scientific achievements. It calls for action to empower women working in technology, challenge stereotypes, and create equal opportunities in science.
This collective effort will shape the future of science by supporting women's success in the field.
Resources:
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
This day aims to promote gender equality and empower women and girls in science by highlighting their critical role in science and technology communities.
Diversity in science leads to innovation and a broader range of fresh perspectives in problem-solving. By using the vast untapped pool of talent, we could achieve many sustainability goals faster, from combating climate change to improving health.
We can advocate for equal opportunities, mentor young girls interested in science, and promote inclusive work environments. Spread awareness and defy gender stereotypes by taking advantage of social media platforms.
Gender bias, lack of representation in leadership roles, and limited access to resources and opportunities.
Numerous initiatives, including AnitaB.org, Million Women Mentors, Society of Women Engineers, Catalyst, and Girls Who Code, support women and girls in STEM. Additionally, initiatives like UNESCO's 'Women in Science' program and various governmental scholarships and grants globally aim to increase female representation in STEM fields.
Mike is a degree-qualified researcher and writer passionate about increasing global awareness about climate change and encouraging people to act collectively in resolving these issues.
Fact Checked By:
Isabela Sedano, BEng.
