International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Read the UNESCO's paper on the ways to  Support girls and women to pursue STEM subjects and careers: advocacy brief .

Explore the  Global education monitoring report 2024, gender report: technology on her terms , published by UNESCO in 2024.

  Achieving gender equality in science necessitates addressing ongoing workplace challenges. While some women may voluntarily opt to leave scientific careers, many do so due to unsupportive, biased or even hostile workplace cultures. Often, the lack of family-friendly, work-life balance measures and affordable childcare make it difficult for parents (mostly mothers) to stay in the system. In addition, instances of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour remain widespread in science, with one in two female scientists having reported experiencing sexual harassment at work in a 2022 study [xvii]. A shift in the structure and culture of science workplaces is urgently needed to attract, retain and advance women scientists. Encouragingly, fostering a diverse scientific workforce is increasingly viewed as a marker of investor confidence and excellence in the private sector [xviii]. One trend of concern is known as the ‘leaky pipeline’, in which the gender gap widens as women progres...

  A greater proportion of girls are currently enrolled in school than at any point in history; however, they often enjoy fewer opportunities than boys, hindering their ability to engage fully in, and benefit from, education according to their preferences. This inequality is particularly evident in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, where girls are already disadvantaged in early childhood care and education. By the time they reach higher education, women represent only 28% of engineering graduates and 40% of computer science graduates, for instance [xiv]. This gender gap in STEM education is a product of complex interactions between socialization and learning processes [xv]. Therefore, early intervention in a child’s life is essential to ensure that every boy and girl can make choices about their education and career that align with their passions. Education plays a pivotal role in making the path to a career as a scientist seem both appealing and acc...

  Gender stereotypes in the field of science are deeply ingrained through the socialization process, resulting in persistent gendered roles, expectations and bias in many countries across the world. These stereotypes erroneously perpetuate the idea that boys inherently excel in maths and science. Desirable traits for scientists, such as objectivity and rationality, are often erroneously considered solely male gender-normative characteristics [xi]. This misperception contributes to the belief that women, with their supposed ‘communal’ and less agentic traits, lack the qualities required to succeed in pursuing a career as a scientific researcher or in other science-related occupations [xii]. Gender biases can manifest themselves in prejudiced reference letters, unfair peerreview processes, underrepresentation in prestigious journals and limited invitations for women to speak at scientific gatherings, among other ways. These gender biases not only dissuade girls from considering scien...

  The pursuit of gender equality in science , which includes breaking the glass ceiling in elevation to leadership positions, is not a distant aspiration; rather, it stands well within our reach. To attain it, we shall need concerted multistakeholder action in all sectors - public and private - to: Dismantle gender stereotypes and biases in science  Open educational pathways for girls in science  Create workplace environments that attract, retain and advance women scientists

Globally, women constitute approximately one third of scientific researchers , a ratio that has demonstrated minimal variation over the past decade. At the upper levels of scientific hierarchies , this proportion declines: for instance, only 12% of the members of the national academies of science are women. These percentages vary among countries, with no specific correlation between a country’s wealth and its success in achieving gender parity in science . The percentage of women scientists varies by region. According to the latest data from the UNESCO Institute of Statistics , this ranges from 23% of female researchers (in head counts*) in South Asia to 27% in Southeast Asia, 32% in sub-Saharan Africa, 34% in the European Union, 41% in Arab States, 44% in Latin America and the Caribbean, 47% in Central Asia and 52% in Southeast Europe. However, not all countries have reliable data, limiting reporting on the extent of gender gaps in science . In the dataset gathered by the UNESCO Ins...

Closing the gender gap in STEM fields can have numerous benefits for the global community: Promoting diversity and inclusion : Gender equity can foster diversity and inclusion, leading to more innovative solutions to societal challenges. Economic growth : Losing the gender gap in STEM can help address the skills gap in the STEM workforce, leading to economic growth and job creation. Improved researc h: Increasing gender diversity in STEM fields can lead to improved research outcomes, as diverse perspectives can provide unique insights into research questions. Improved products and services : Greater gender diversity in STEM fields can lead to the development of products and services that better meet the needs of all consumers. Social progress : Narrowing the gender gap in STEM can contribute to broader social progress, as greater gender equity can lead to a more just and equitable society. Closing the gender gap in STEM is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach—from ins...

There are various strategies that can be implemented to close the gender gap in STEM . These include: Encouraging girls to pursue STEM education: It is essential to introduce girls to STEM subjects early on to help dispel the stereotypes associated with STEM and provide them with role models. Programs like  Girls Who Can Code ,  Black Girls Code , and  Million Women Mentors  have been successful in inspiring girls to pursue STEM education. Creating inclusive workplaces : Companies and institutions can work toward creating inclusive workplaces by identifying and addressing unconscious biases and fostering a culture of inclusivity. This can be achieved by implementing diversity and inclusion policies, offering mentorship and sponsorship programs, and providing flexible work arrangements. Promoting female role models : Having visible female role models in STEM is crucial to inspiring and encouraging girls and women to pursue STEM careers. Organizations should prioritiz...

  Today, just one in three scientists is a woman. Achieving gender equality in science will be essential if we are to address the complex global challenges we face, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, extreme poverty and the need for ethical approaches to artificial intelligence. The complexities of the 21st century require multifaceted approaches and new perspectives, making it imperative for both men and women to contribute to science. Despite some progress in recent decades, gender equality in science remains elusive, particularly in certain disciplines and countries. Lack of gender equality in science is not just a problem that affects women. It also limits scientific progress and hamstrings a country’s development and its efforts to build peaceful societies [i]. Achieving gender equality in science is all the more necessary today as we witness backsliding in some countries with regard to equal access to education and knowledge as well as increased numbers of women s...

Africa has the youngest population in the world, with over 400 million youth aged between 15 and 35 years. By 2030, young Africans will make up 42% of the world’s youth. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023 indicates Africa needs an additional 23 million STEM graduates by 2030 to meet demand in engineering, healthcare and IT. This conference responds to the urgent need for collaboration, strategic investments and inclusive policies to address challenges in STEM education and innovation . By mobilizing resources and fostering partnerships , the conference will pave the way for a dynamic STEM ecosystem that positions Africa as a global contributor to STEM research and development .