11th February: International Day for Women & Girls in Science!

11th February: International Day for Women & Girls in Science!

Wondering why this day is so special to us?
Let’s find out together the reasons why!

As the official website of the United Nations mentions: “Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore, also half of its potential.” However, have you ever wondered why there is such a significant gender gap persisted throughout the years at all levels of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines all over the world?

Even though women have made tremendous progress towards increasing their participation in higher education, they are still under-represented in these fields.

This day is paving the way towards a brighter and more inclusive world!

Let’s have a look at the milestones of the establishment of the International Day of Women & Girls in Science: 

  • On 14 March 2011, the Commission on the Status of Women adopted a report at its fifty-fifth session, with agreed conclusions on access and participation of women and girls in education, training and science and technology, and for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work.
  •  On 20 December 2013, the General Assembly adopted a resolution on science, technology and innovation for development, in which it recognized that full and equal access to and participation in science, technology and innovation for women and girls of all ages is imperative for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

We at BioRural, fully support gender equality in Science! Within our consortium, there are numerous brilliant female scientists, bringing their expertise in our project, while inspiring us every day! 

Finally, here there are only a few of the important women scientist that have left their own mark in history, giving us another reason to stand for gender equality in science and, generally, in the workplace: 

  • Marie Curiethis physicist and chemist was the head of the physics lab at a European University who went on to win the Nobel Prize in 1903 with her husband.
  • Elizabeth Blackwell in 1849, she was the first woman to graduate from medical school in the United States.
  • Mae C. JemisonShe was a medical doctor and astronaut, who in 1992, became the first African American woman in space.
  • Gertrude ElionBorn in 1918, she was a Nobel winner who developed drugs to treat leukemia and prevent kidney transplant rejection.
  • Tiera Guinn this young scientist from MIT is an aerospace major who is helping to build a rocket for NASA.
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