International Day of Women and Girls in Science

By a resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) of December 22, 2015, February 11 was declared International Day for the participation of women and girls in science.

The main goal of the day is to educate talents working in the direction of health, climate change, to achieve sustainable development until 2030. This means that more women should work in scientific fields. Diversity expands the circle of talented researchers, opens up new perspectives, talents and reveals creative potential. The celebration of this day recalls the role of women and girls in the scientific and technological fields, as well as the need to strengthen their participation in science.

Secretary General Antoniu Guterres in his address noted that for the successful solution of the tasks of the 21st century, we need to use our full potential. On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, let us make a solemn promise to eliminate gender imbalances in science.

According to the  ООН, A. Guterres took part in the African Union summit in Addis Ababa on February 10 last year, and also took part in the ceremony to attract girls to computer programming courses on the African continent. He said that international organizations and governments in Africa, where 25 percent of women have access to the Internet and that education is not available in many countries for girls, should strengthen their collaboration and allocate more funds.

Science and gender equality are integral elements of the achievement of development goals, including those set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Over the past 15 years, the world community has made significant strides in involving women and girls in science. Today, less than 30 percent of women are among scientific researchers. According to UNESCO for 2014-2016, only 30 percent of girls studying in universities choose scientific and technical disciplines. Girls who choose specialties in information and communication technologies make up 3%, in mathematics and statistics - 5%, in engineering and industry - 8%.

The main reason for the low participation of girls in science is stereotypes and misconceptions. According to a 2015 study by the Genie Davis Institute on Gender in the Media, only 12% of female characters in film and television worked in science and technology.

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