International Day of Women and Girls in Science

This online exhibition reveals their discoveries, challenges, and triumphs, bringing to life the remarkable achievements of pioneering scientists across the globe.  Explore the untold stories of women who transformed science . 

 "Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls" 11th International Day of Women & Girls in Science Assembly. The Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT), co-organizing and co-sponsoring Member States, UN Agencies and Intergovernmental Organizations are celebrating the 11th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly, taking place on 11 February 2026 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Related Sites and Documents:  Concept Note . Follow the hashtags: #February11 | #EquityInScience | #ScienceSociety | #FinanceforDevelopment | #GirlsInScience | #WomenInScience Watch the (Part 2) 11th International Day of Women & Girls in Science Assembly! High-level Events

Women and girls remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), often due to persistent stereotypes and limited access to opportunities. Through education, mentorship and visible role models, UNESCO supports girls in building confidence and pursuing scientific careers. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are fundamental to sustainable development, yet women and girls continue to face barriers that limit their participation in these fields – from gender stereotypes to limited access to quality education . Today, women represent only 35% of STEM graduates.   Through initiatives that promote gender equality in education , UNESCO supports girls’ access to quality STEM learning, strengthens teacher training, and advances mentorship and role-model programmes that make women in science visible . By advocating for inclusive education policies , supporting community-based interventions , and celebrating women scientists, UNESCO ...

L'Oréal Groupe Mexico, in collaboration with UNESCO and the Mexican Academy of Sciences (AMC) , launches the 2026 call for applications for the “For Women in Science” program , on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11). This initiative promotes and recognizes the work of women scientists in Mexico and supports their contributions to knowledge development. Araceli Becerril, Corporate Responsibility Director at L'Oréal Mexico, underscores the importance of this initiative and the role of women in science: “At L’Oréal, we do not just dream about the future—we design it by removing barriers and paving the way. We want tomorrow’s women scientists to find a horizon free of prejudice, and we lead by example: 69% of our researchers are women, and they sign 55% of our patents. Science is our DNA and equality our driving force. Because the world needs science, and we are clearing the path so that science always counts on women.” UNESCO Representative in Mexico...

  Equality in the sciences is essential for humanity’s progress. Despite advances in access to education, women in STEM are still held back by a lack of research funding, gender stereotypes, and discriminatory workplace practices. Globally, only one in three researchers is female. This gap is particularly pronounced in the realm of technology, with women representing just 26% of the workforce in data and artificial intelligence. The absence of female voices embeds biases into digital tools and leads to real world harm. Excluding women from science weakens our collective capacity to address urgent global challenges, from climate change to public health to space security. That’s why the UNITED NATIONS  supports women and girls in STEM across multiple disciplines. Let us ensure that women and girls can realise their scientific ambitions — for their rights, and for the benefit of all. United Nations Decretary-General; Mr. Antonio Guterres .

Across the world, a significant gender gap persists at all levels of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines due to lack of research funding, gender stereotypes, and discriminatory workplace practices. The United Nations ecretary-General; Mr. António Guterres said the gap is particularly pronounced in technology, where women represent just 26 per cent of the workforce in data and artificial intelligence, and 12 per cent in cloud computing. “ Excluding women from science weakens our collective capacity to address urgent global challenges, from climate change to public health to space security, ” he warned. UNICEF is working on expanding STEM education for girls in rural areas. As societies continue to grapple with widening inequalities, the UN believes that the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), social science, STEM and finance provides a way to accelerate inclusive and sustainable development. The approach is being highlighted on the Internation...

The theme of International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGIS) 2026 is “ Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls. ” As societies grapple with widening inequalities, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), social science, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and finance emerges as a four-pillar approach to accelerate inclusive and sustainable development. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers powerful tools for data analytics, health diagnostics, climate modelling and more; however, without targeted interventions, its benefits risk bypassing women and girls. Social science insights guide the design of equitable policies, community engagement and behaviour-change strategies, ensuring that STEM and AI innovations reach marginalized groups . STEM disciplines provide the technical skills required to develop, implement and maintain AI solutions, while fostering gender-balanced research teams. Financ...

"Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls" 11th International Day of Women & Girls in Science Assembly. The Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT), co-organizing and co-sponsoring Member States, UN Agencies and Intergovernmental Organizations are celebrating the 11th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly, taking place on 11 February 2026 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Related Sites and Documents:  Concept Note . Follow the hashtags: #February11 | #EquityInScience | #ScienceSociety | #FinanceforDevelopment | #GirlsInScience | #WomenInScience Watch the (Part 1) 11th International Day of Women & Girls in Science Assembly! High-level Events

For Women in Science is the successful global cooperation of UNESCO and L'Oréal. Together, these two partners have promoted women in science since 1998 – strengthening the excellence of research, fostering gender equality and highlighting the visibility of women in research ("role models"). For Women in Science Germany promotes four female early-career scientists working in Germany each year - with an award worth 25.000 Euros. In Germany, the partners are the German Commission for UNESCO, L'Oréal Deutschland and the German Humboldt Network. In an innovative tripartite partnership, these partners are committed to promoting excellent female scientists in German science. For Women in Science Germany is guided by the rules and regulations outlined below. To submit applications/nominations for this program, the call for application needs to be open and you must be logged in to your account. If you are unable to access the form once you are logged in, please refer to the...

    The Master’s program actively recruits and supports women and other underrepresented groups in AI and machine learning research .  Leveraging the gap through targeted support for underrepresented groups. Four outstanding women scientists will each receive €25,000 to advance their research careers . Applications must be submitted by February 21, 2026.​ For complete information and to apply, visit the For Women in Science Germany website .

  Today, women remain a minority among the world’s researchers, representing less than one third onaverage . This proportion matters not only for fairness, but also for the quality, relevance and impact of science itself. Closing the gender gap is essential to advancing more ethical, inclusive and socially responsive science, technology and innovation. Building on the previous editions of IDWGS – first in 2024 with the launch of the UNESCO Call to Action“Closing the Gender Gap in Science” , which pinpointed the factors behind the gender gap and called for accelerated collective action, and then in 2025 with the #EveryVoiceInScience campaign , which brought forward scientists’ reflections on how their fields could change if the gender gap was closed – this year’s theme shifts the focus from recommendations and reflection to showcasing existing good practices and practical solutions for building more inclusive STEM ecosystems. It will explore how effective measures have been imple...

On Wednesday, 11 February 2026 , at UNESCO Headquarters , to mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026 , a hybrid, one-day event will take place under the theme “ From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap ”. It will bring together Member States, rising and renowned scientists (including from the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Programme and OWSD Chapters), stakeholders from the public and private sectors, UNESCO scientific networks, journalists and students. This edition’s roundtables will highlight the positive impact of inclusivity through personal testimonies and evidence-based discussions . Panelists from diverse regions and professional backgrounds will share concrete measures that have proven effective in reducing the gender gap in their respective fields – health research, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and scientific entrepreneurship - and will explain the conditions that enabled their success. Organized in collaborat...

 Expected outcomes the 2026 IDWGS celebration.   Through insights shared by panelists and interactive exchanges with the audience, the event aims:  • to raise awareness of the essential contributions of women to scientific and technological innovation;   • to provide participants with a clearer understanding of practical measures that have proven effective in reducing gender inequalities across different STEM sectors , and how these approaches can be adapted, scaled, or replicated in their own institutions and context; and  • to invite stakeholders to consider how solutions must evolve in an era where new and emerging technologies increasingly shape scientific research , and how gender-responsive STEM Education approaches can ensure these artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are developed and used ethically and inclusively.  By fostering dialogue across sectors, from governments and private industry to academia and civil society, th...

  Roundtable 2 of the  2026 IDWGS celebration .

   Roundtable 3 of the  2026 IDWGS celebration .

  Roundtable 1 of the 2026 IDWGS celebration .

  2026 IDWGS celebration  Ignite talk

   2026 IDWGS celebration Fireside chat.

On the occasion of the 2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science , and as part of Les Assises de la féminisation des métiers et filières du numérique, a hybrid one-day event will take place on Wednesday, 11 February 2026 at UNESCO Headquarters under the theme “ From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap ”. Organized by UNESCO and Femmes@Numérique , it will place particular emphasis on new and emerging technologies and their influence on gender equality. This event will bring together Member States, rising and renowned scientists, public and private leaders, UNESCO scientific networks and Chairs, journalists, as well as students. To participate to the Hybrid event entitled '' From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap '' Registration for in-person participation is now closed, as we have reached the maximum capacity of the room. to view it online register via Zoom .