The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution (70/212) on 22nd December 2015 in its 70th session, to observe February 11th as the “International Day of Women and Girls In science; to promote participation of women in fields related to science and technology. The resolution had the approval of all the UN Member states and sponsorship of more than 68 countries; an indication of their willingness to achieve gender equality.
The celebrations are planned by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and UN-Women (An entity working for women empowerment) in collaboration with other institutions and civil partners those aimed to promote gender equality and women empowerment.
The day is observed globally, to give women access to the science and technology and to ensure their participation; an essentiality for gender equality and women empowerment. The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is one of the flagship agendas of the United Nations towards achieving gender equality and thus sustainable development.
International Day Of Women And Girls In Science 2019
The fourth forum of International Day of Women and Girls in Science was held on 11th February 2019 (Monday) to 12th February 2019 (Tuesday) at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
This year, the forum aimed to develop a program which will be showcasing the best practices and solutions to move investment in women and girls in Science for inclusive green growth. The agenda for the day mainly focused on inclusion of women and girls in the main stream of science and technology.
Various events were organized around the world which inspired girls to take STEM subjects i.e. Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and boost career in the field of engineering, science and technology. UN agencies across the world also commemorated the day through various events, videos and articles.
Montreal Science Center celebrated the day with a free event for under 17 girls. The event mainly focused on inclusion of girls and women in the field of science and technology. The Montreal University also provided free admission to girls in all Science Centre exhibitions on the day.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2018
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science – 2018 was observed from 8th February 2018 (Thursday) to 9th February 2018 (Friday). The observance was pre scheduled because of 11th February being Sunday.
How Was The International Day Of Women And Girls In Science Celebrated In 2018?
Where and Who?
The events of the third commemoration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science were held at the Economic and Social Chamber at United Nations Head Quarters, New York; located at 1st Avenue between 42nd and 46th street.
Many ministers, delegates, members of private institutions, members of the civil societies and policy makers and also many girls and women from various countries were called in for the forum.
The third observation of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science – 2018 was done under the lead role of RASIT (Royal Academy of Science International Trust) and the Government of the Republic of Malta in close collaboration with UNCTAD (United Nations conference on Trade and Development) and the UN’s permanent missions of member states – Costa Rica, Hungary and Vietnam.
The celebration was also co sponsored by the permanent representations of these countries to the UN – Georgia, Portugal, San Marino, Thailand, Colombia, Paraguay, Cyprus, Rwanda, Argentina and Australia, also the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), ILO (International Labour Organization), IUCN (International Union of conservation of Nature) and ITU (International Telecommunication Union).
Activities Of International Day Of Women And Girls In Science 2018
The events of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2018 – revolved around the central theme – “Equality and Parity in Science for Peace and Development”. The 2018 celebration had a distinction of having the first all girls panel at the United Nations; chaired, moderated and attended by girls from around the world.
Young and enthusiastic girls from around the world belonging to the field of Science and Technology shared their views, proposed means to achieve gender equality and parity, to achieve sustainable Development.
Under the joint Chairmanship of an 11 year young girl from Turkey – Talya Ozdemir and 13 year old Rebecca Jekogian from United States; the panel constitutes many young women and girls. The young girls spoke on various topics like – ‘Everyday Bias and Oppression in the Class Room’ (by Sthuthi Satish, a 14 year old girl from India), ‘Why Science needs Women and Girls’, ‘Women in Science Around the world’, ‘A Girl’s Adventure in Science’, ‘Borderless Opportunities for a Girl in STEM’ etc. (STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
The girls also shared their views on the hindrances to girls and women, in the path of Science and Technology and their possible counter measures. They were vocal about their personal ambitions and the hindrances as also those faced by the girls of their own age around the world. They also presented their views to increase related resources to facilitate the participation of girls and women in science related fields.
The participants debated on many questions like: How to get women’s voices heard at all levels, how we can support girls from rural areas in developing countries as well as refugees, what is the role of boys and men in promoting gender equality and parity etc.
Her Royal Highness Princess Nisreen El – Hashemite of Iraq presented the official remarks.
Now 48 years old, the princess defied conventions to pursue medicine.
In her remarks, HRH Princess Nisreen El-Hashemite mentioned the story of a young Indian girl
– Malavath Poorna from a small village, who was forced to discontinue as her father was unable to pay the school fee. The helpless father sent the girl to a social welfare school. But, Poorna with her sheer determination and under the guidance of her head master became the youngest girl to scale Mount Everest on 25th May 2014, aged 13 years and 11 months.
The events of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2018 – revolved around the central theme – “Equality and Parity in Science for Peace and Development”. The 2018 celebration had a distinction of having the first all girls panel at the United Nations; chaired, moderated and attended by girls from around the world.
Young and enthusiastic girls from around the world belonging to the field of Science and Technology shared their views, proposed means to achieve gender equality and parity, to achieve sustainable Development.
Under the joint Chairmanship of an 11 year young girl from Turkey – Talya Ozdemir and 13 year old Rebecca Jekogian from United States; the panel constitutes many young women and girls. The young girls spoke on various topics like – ‘Everyday Bias and Oppression in the Class Room’ (by Sthuthi Satish, a 14 year old girl from India), ‘Why Science needs Women and Girls’, ‘Women in Science Around the world’, ‘A Girl’s Adventure in Science’, ‘Borderless Opportunities for a Girl in STEM’ etc. (STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
The girls also shared their views on the hindrances to girls and women, in the path of Science and Technology and their possible counter measures. They were vocal about their personal ambitions and the hindrances as also those faced by the girls of their own age around the world. They also presented their views to increase related resources to facilitate the participation of girls and women in science related fields.
The participants debated on many questions like: How to get women’s voices heard at all levels, how we can support girls from rural areas in developing countries as well as refugees, what is the role of boys and men in promoting gender equality and parity etc.
Her Royal Highness Princess Nisreen El – Hashemite of Iraq presented the official remarks.
Now 48 years old, the princess defied conventions to pursue medicine.
In her remarks, HRH Princess Nisreen El-Hashemite mentioned the story of a young Indian girl
– Malavath Poorna from a small village, who was forced to discontinue as her father was unable to pay the school fee. The helpless father sent the girl to a social welfare school. But, Poorna with her sheer determination and under the guidance of her head master became the youngest girl to scale Mount Everest on 25th May 2014, aged 13 years and 11 months.
International Day Of Women And Girls In Science 2019 – Agenda
The opening remarks of the forum will be made by –
Her Royal Highness Princess Dr. Nisreen El-Hashemite, Executive Director of the Royal Academy of Science International Trust and the Founder President of the women in Science International League.
Her Excellency Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the 73rd session of General Assembly.
His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations.
‘Woman in Science’ of the forum will be – Suhad A. Yasin from Iraq.
‘Girls in Science’ of the Forum will be – Miss Sthuthi Satish from India and Miss Huaxuan Chen from Canada.
The two days forum in 2019 will include a high level Panel discussing and making recommendations on issues like –
The current status of financing in science by public sector and its future prospects.
Invest to improve the capacity and capability of women in research.
Structural investments to ensure gender equality and inclusive growth.
A strategic discussion on sustainable Development Goal – 4 will be made, especially in the field of Science and Technology. (SDG Goal 4: Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promote Life Long Learning Opportunities For All).
To include and increase the number of women in fields of education and science.
Identify and address the issues restraining the girls and women from taking up career in fields of Science and technology.
This year too, there will be a parallel panel including young girls and women from across the world, which will be discussing and interacting with UN officials and other dignitaries on issues pertaining to participation of women in Science and Technology. The girls’ panel will focus around the following issues-
Steps to be taken to improve science education around the world.
International Day Of Women And Girls In Science 2019 – Agenda
The opening remarks of the forum will be made by –
Her Royal Highness Princess Dr. Nisreen El-Hashemite, Executive Director of the Royal Academy of Science International Trust and the Founder President of the women in Science International League.
Her Excellency Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of the 73rd session of General Assembly.
His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations.
‘Woman in Science’ of the forum will be – Suhad A. Yasin from Iraq.
‘Girls in Science’ of the Forum will be – Miss Sthuthi Satish from India and Miss Huaxuan Chen from Canada.
The two days forum in 2019 will include a high level Panel discussing and making recommendations on issues like –
The current status of financing in science by public sector and its future prospects.
Invest to improve the capacity and capability of women in research.
Structural investments to ensure gender equality and inclusive growth.
A strategic discussion on sustainable Development Goal – 4 will be made, especially in the field of Science and Technology. (SDG Goal 4: Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promote Life Long Learning Opportunities For All).
To include and increase the number of women in fields of education and science.
Identify and address the issues restraining the girls and women from taking up career in fields of Science and technology.
This year too, there will be a parallel panel including young girls and women from across the world, which will be discussing and interacting with UN officials and other dignitaries on issues pertaining to participation of women in Science and Technology. The girls’ panel will focus around the following issues-
Steps to be taken to improve science education around the world.
We need to persuade women to join the fields of science and technology and also to remove the barriers restricting them. Achieving gender equality is mandatory to achieve sustainable development; therefore, it becomes imperative to promote women in STEM (Science, Technology, engineering and Mathematics) related fields, if the goal of sustainable Development is to be achieved.
How To Celebrate The International Day Of Women And Girls In Science?
The commemoration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science focus on encouraging and facilitating the involvement of girls and women in science and related fields. The main theme of 2019 celebrations is – “Investment in Women and Girls in Science for Inclusive Green Growth”; which should be the main focus of the program.
However, the day can be observed by individuals, professionals, institutions and private and government firms in their own capacities. Below given are few activities those should be involved in the celebrations-
1) Discuss and Debate
The involvement of girls and women in science related field should be discussed – their current participation and means to encourage and implement it. Possible hindrance faced by girls and women in science related fields to be discussed and debated with suggestions and recommendations on their possible counter measures.
2) Raise Awareness
The awareness about the subject could be raised through campaigns and awards. Award ceremonies are the best way to encourage and recognize an individual’s contribution in a particular field. Organize such events in your schools and offices to encourage the girls and women who have made distinct achievements in the fields of science and also to raise awareness about the issue.
3) Know the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Goals
Enrich your knowledge about the goals of Sustainable Development and how important is the participation of girls and women in science for achieving them. Also, teach others about the significance of SDG goals and the role played by girls and women in achieving them.
4) Form Internal Panel
An internal panel could be formed by the institutes and organizations; especially working in the fields of science and technology. Such panel should devise a feasible plan to address its internal issues faced by its women staff/members and also implement plans to encourage more girls and women to take up career in STEM fields.
5) Raise Funds
Raise funds for the girls from villages who have to discontinue education due to lack of resources. Use the fund collected to mobilize volunteers and organize various programs and events – centered on the main issue.
Themes Of International Day Of Girls And Women In Science
Below we are providing the yearly themes for International Day of Girls and Women in Science, since the inception of the day in 2016-
Theme of 2016 – “Transforming the World: Parity for All”.
Theme of 2017 – Gender Science and Sustainable Development: The Impact of Media”.
Theme of 2018 – “Equality and Parity in Science for Peace and Development”.
Theme of 2019 – “Investment in Women and Girls in Science for Inclusive Green Growth”.