Science and gender equality are both critical to achieving internationally agreed-upon development goals, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Over the last 15 years, the worldwide community has worked very hard to inspire and engage women and girls in science. Nonetheless, women and girls continue to be excluded from full participation in science.
The United Nations together with women and girls will celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11th. The Day emphasizes the importance of science and gender equality in achieving internationally accepted development goals, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
History and Significance
Over the years, a considerable gender gap has remained at all levels of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields around the world. Despite significant progress in increasing women's involvement in higher education, they remain under-represented in these disciplines.
Gender equality has long been a priority for the United Nations. Gender equality and the emancipation of women will be critical not just to global economic development, but also to progress toward all of the objectives and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
To ensure complete and fair opportunities to and engagement in science for women and girls, as well as enhance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the UN General Assembly approved resolution A/RES/70/212 designating 11 February as International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
Theme 2022: “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Water Unites Us”
According to UN statistics, unless access progress rates quadruple, billions of people throughout the world would be unable to receive securely managed household drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services by 2030. Rising demand, inadequate management, and a failure to preserve water resources, exacerbated by climate change, are critical concerns that necessitate a new sustainable holistic approach to support aligning water plans.
This 11th of February will be the 7th assembly which will bring together women in science and specialists from all over the world, as well as top government authorities, legislators of international organizations, and representatives from the private industry, to discuss the role of water in accomplishing the three pillars of sustainable development: economic prosperity, social justice, and environmental integrity.
