The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated annually on 11 February, was established by the UN General Assembly in 2015. The aim of the holiday is to support women in science and technology and to promote equal access for all to education and scientific careers. It is also about drawing attention to the barriers that still persist and inspiring a world where talent and passion, not gender, determine the career path. Where are we on the aforementioned path?

Equality in education between women and men is the foundation of a just society, where everyone has equal opportunities to develop and contribute to science, technology and innovation. Despite significant progress in recent decades, women are still a minority in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields. According to UNESCO data, globally women account for about 33% of scientific researchers, and their participation in the new technology and engineering sector is even lower. Cultural, social and structural barriers continue to hinder their full potential, which is why it is so important to support initiatives that promote equality in science.