International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: Careers Technology Women
Where:: World
Date change rule:: Every February 11
Holiday emoji:: 👩‍🔬

International Day of Women and Girls in Science empowers and celebrates female trailblazers in STEM every February 11. This day highlights their vital contributions to scientific progress and advocates for girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Join the movement to inspire the next generation of innovators, support educational initiatives, and recognize the incredible impact of women in science.

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Expected International Day of Women and Girls in Science Deals

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the focus shifts from commercial deals to impactful support and advocacy. Organizations like UN Women and UNESCO lead global campaigns, encouraging donations to programs that provide STEM education and mentorship for girls in underserved communities. Look for corporate partners such as Lockheed Martin, IBM, and Microsoft to announce matching gift programs or scholarships supporting women in tech and engineering. Nonprofits like Girls Who Code and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) host virtual events and fundraising drives to expand their reach and empower more young women. We encourage visiting the official UN Women website for direct links to verified initiatives and ways to contribute.

Platform Guide for International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #WomenInScience. Share stories of inspiring female scientists or highlight mentorship programs.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #WomenInScience. Join conversations about gender equality in STEM and amplify achievements.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #WomenInScience. Post visually engaging content celebrating female scientists or showcasing STEM projects.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science Hero

Marie Curie

Marie Curie, born Maria Skłodowska in 1867, was a pioneering physicist and chemist. She conducted groundbreaking research on radioactivity, becoming the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person and only woman to win the Nobel Prize twice, and the only person to win the Nobel Prize in two different scientific fields. Her relentless pursuit of knowledge and her discoveries of polonium and radium laid the foundation for modern nuclear physics and medicine, inspiring countless women to enter science.

History of International Day of Women and Girls in Science

A significant gender gap in science has persisted at all levels of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines throughout history. Though progress has been made in the previous decades, women are still underrepresented in science disciplines. The United Nations considers gender a core issue behind the significant underrepresentation, mainly because gender equality and women’s empowerment can make a crucial contribution to the world’s economic development. It also contributes to progress across all the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In 2013, the General Assembly adopted a resolution on science, technology, and innovation for development. It recognized that equal access to and participation in science, technology, and innovation for women and girls of all ages was essential for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

Founded by the UN General Assembly in 2015, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated in the United States to encourage gender equality and ensure equal access and participation for women and girls in science. Science and gender equality are important factors that allow us to achieve internationally agreed development goals. The global community has significantly inspired and engaged women and girls in science over the past few decades. There is still a lack of participation from women and girls in science, but the road is getting ever so well-trodden.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science timeline

2700 BC

First Woman Scientist

Merit-Ptah had the words "chief physician" inscribed on her tomb

1876

Higher Education for Women

Elizabeth Bragg was the first woman to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering; graduating from the University of California at Berkeley

1903

First Female Nobel Prize Recipient

Physicist Marie Curie becomes the first women to win Nobel Prize

1972

Moving the needle

Women in the US (finally) make up a full 1% of those graduating with degrees in engineering

Mid-1980s

Women Major in Computer Science]

About 37% of women in university choose computer science as their major.

2014

Women Take Science Tests

About 20% of women take the Advanced Placement Computer Science test.

2019

More Women Work in Tech

Approximately 2.5 million women work in the tech industry.

How Businesses Can Celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Local businesses can honor International Day of Women and Girls in Science by actively promoting STEM careers to young women. Host a ‘shadow a scientist’ day, invite female STEM professionals to speak at local schools, or sponsor scholarships for girls pursuing science education. Retailers can feature books and toys that encourage scientific exploration, while tech companies can highlight their female engineers and developers through social media campaigns and internal recognition. Mentorship programs connecting established women in STEM with aspiring students are also incredibly impactful.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science FAQs

When is International Day of Women and Girls in Science?

International Day of Women and Girls in Science will be observed on Friday, February 11, 2027. This annual event continues to highlight the achievements of female scientists and inspire future generations.

What is the gender gap in STEM fields globally?

Despite progress, the gender gap in STEM persists, with women accounting for less than one-third of the world’s researchers. This disparity is even more pronounced in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, underscoring the ongoing need for initiatives like this International Day.

Who established the International Day of Women and Girls in Science?

This significant day was initiated by the United Nations to promote gender equality and empower women and girls in science. Its annual observance on February 11 underscores the global commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering inclusive scientific communities.

What challenges do women and girls face in STEM education and careers?

Barriers for women and girls in STEM range from limited access to quality education and resources in some regions to persistent cultural biases and discrimination in professional settings. Addressing these systemic issues is crucial for fostering a truly equitable scientific landscape.

How to Celebrate

Learn about women’s contributions to science
It is fascinating to learn about the many female trailblazers who have contributed to our society through science. Search for online resources, books, and movies that tell their stories. Share what you learn and honor these women through social media.
Encourage a girl to seek her academic passion
Do you have a daughter or know a young girl interested in science? Encourage her to stick with it! Too often, girls veer from their passions and are not supported to take the road less traveled. If you are not familiar with the latest STEM career options, find a friend who could explain them to her and provide mentorship in her journey.
Make a donation
You can donate in the form of a scholarship to help women and girls study science. The scholarship or donation will help them get access to better education.

5 Women In Science You Should Know

Katherine Johnson
From Hidden Figures fame, Johnson was a mathematician calculating orbital mechanics for NASA and was critical to the first crewed spaceflight.
Lillian Gilbreth
Considered to be the first industrial/organizational psychologist and “America’s first lady of engineering”, Gilbreth was also one of the first American female engineers to earn a Ph.D. and the first female engineering professor at Purdue University.
Ruth Benerito
Ruth Benerito was an American chemist and inventor who held 55 patents; her most notable invention was wash and wear cotton fabrics.
Edith Clarke
During her career with General Electric in the 1920s, Clarke became the first American woman professionally employed as an electrical engineer as well as the first female electrical engineering professor in the country.
Rachel Carson
Carson’s book, Silent Spring, brought attention to the use of pesticides in America which led to changes in our pesticide policies and, through enhanced conservationism, ultimately led to the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Why We Love

It promotes gender equality in Science
Not only do girls need to become comfortable being in STEM programs, but boys also need to be comfortable having them there. Y4X is a global initiative to promote gender equality in science by helping young boys and men respect and recognize their female counterparts as well as to seek women in science as their mentors and role models.
It celebrates the trendsetters
Today is a time to honor, appreciate, and share in the successes of women in science who have gone before us making significant contributions worldwide.
It encourages technological development
International Day of Women and Girls in Science allows more women to be innovative and achieve developments in science and technology. The greater the number of women who enter the field, the more technological advancements will be made.