International Day of Women and Girls in Science is being observed today

#Science&GenderEquality; #UN; #SDGs; #Women&Girls; #UNESCO; #GenderStereotypes

New York, Feb 11 (Canadian-Media): Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Over the past 15 years, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science. Yet women and girls continue to be excluded from participating fully in science, UN News release of Feb 11 reported.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Image credit: United Nations

At present, less than 30 per cent of researchers worldwide are women. According to UNESCO data (2014 - 2016), only around 30 per cent of all female students select STEM-related fields in higher education. Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in ICT (3 per cent), natural science, mathematics and statistics (5 per cent) and in engineering, manufacturing and construction (8 per cent).

Long-standing biases and gender stereotypes are steering girls and women away from science related fields. As in the real world, the world on screen reflects similar biases—the 2015 Gender Bias Without Borders study by the Geena Davis Institute showed that of the onscreen characters with an identifiable STEM job, only 12 per cent were women.

​In order to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/70/212 declaring 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

"To rise to the challenges of the 21st century, we need to harness our full potential. That requires dismantling gender stereotypes. On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, let’s pledge to end the gender imbalance in science," said UN Secretary-General António Guterres

With Sustainable Development Goal 9, part of the Global Goals that world leaders agreed to in 2015 with a deadline of 2030, countries around the world have pledged to “build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.”

On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, let's change this narrative. Join us in celebrating women and girls, who are leading innovation and call for actions to remove all barriers that hold them back.
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Join the conversation with #WomenInScience !

Women from across the Government of Canada working in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields were brought together today in a symposium to recognize their contributions to science and technology.  The event was hosted by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, and to launch the NRC’s Women in STEM Infinite Possibilities campaign. 

Included in this symposium was a keynote address by Dr. Mona Nemer, Chief Science Advisor of Canada, who highlighted hurdles still faced by women in STEM, and the need to encourage and advance women in STEM communities.

The organization’s commitment to an inclusive workplace was affirmed by the NRC’s President, Iain Stewart, by signing the Dimensions charter – a pilot program designed to address the barriers underrepresented or marginalized groups face.

The charter was also signed by other government departments and agencies such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Space Agency, and Environment and Climate Change Canada.
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A scientific poster session followed the event in which different research projects led by or involving women from across the Government of Canada were highlighted.