MANHATTAN (NPTV/UN): Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres in his message on the occasion of International Day Of Women and Girls in Science celebrated on 11th Feb, held: “On the tenth anniversary of this important day, and as we reflect on 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, let’s help pave a path to STEM careers that women and girls deserve – and our world needs.“
2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS) and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, two significant milestones in the global effort to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. Gender equality in science is crucial for building a better future for all,.
Yet women and girls continue to face systemic barriers and biases in pursuing scientific careers. Closing the gender gap in science requires breaking stereotypes, promoting role models to inspire girls, supporting women’s advancement through targeted programs, and fostering inclusive environments through policies and actions that promote inclusion, diversity and equality.
Dismantling gender stereotypes and biases in science by enhancing the visibility of female role models.
Recommended actions:
Include more discoveries and stories from female scientists, with images, in school textbooks to establish a positive association between women and science from an early age and to recognize women’s contributions to science.
Increase the presence of female scientists in the media (newspapers, magazines, [community] radio[s], television and internet) as well as in popular culture and the entertainment industry to showcase the variety of science-related careers and dispel gender-based misconceptions.
Organize and provide funding for outreach activities featuring female scientists to empower these women to share their professional journeys with the general public, as well as in formal and informal educational settings to support career orientation.
Ensure an equitable representation of women and men on relevant boards, committees and panels to foster a culture of inclusivity within the scientific community.
Increase opportunities for women scientists to access research grants and other sources of research funding.
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