Cross-post: A woman’s place is in science

By the editors of Nature Physics

In December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing that gender equality can only be achieved if women and girls have unfettered access to science and technology as an essential tool to their empowerment. The International Day of Women and Girls in Science was born.

Since its first observance in 2016, the day has had an annual theme, and the one for 2023 is ‘Innovate. Demonstrate. Elevate. Advance. Sustain. (I.D.E.A.S.)’. Similarly to previous themes, it links gender equity in science to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Although the relationship to SDGs around themes such as clean water or clean energy is clear, its connection to SDG 1 — ending poverty — may be less obvious.

A World Bank report found that educating girls is one of the most successful ways to promote economic growth and to end intergenerational poverty (World Development Report 2012: Gender Equality and Development; World Bank, 2012). This feels particularly poignant only months after girls and women in Afghanistan were, once again, banned from attending school or university.

Many girls who are interested in science do not grow up to be scientists. There are many reasons for this, but societal perceptions are among them. Women scientists are still seen as the exception — or the odd one out. And who wants to be that? Perhaps broadening our definition of a woman in science can normalize science as a pursuit for girls and women.

Read more at

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41567-023-01971-2

Crosspost: 5 Pioneering Women of Color in STEM You Might Never Have Heard Of (Plus a Quiz on Black Women in STEM!)

Written by Gideon Fakomogbon for Global Citizen

Talented mathematician, Katherine G. Johnson, works on complex orbital mechanics calculations at NASA Langley Research Center. Her work was pivotal to the success of the 1969 moon landing. Credit: Bob Nye/NASA

Science and technology have transformed our lives in unimaginable ways and, thanks to science, what's previously seems impossible can become a reality. Who would have thought a century ago, for example, that people on opposite sides of the world could communicate easily in real time with something so small it fits in a pocket? 

In the health sector, science has made huge strides in diagnosis, testing, and medication. It’s science that sent men (although no women yet) to the moon; that’s recognized and amplified the effects of climate change and solutions to help prevent it; that innovates disease- and weather-resistant crops; and so much more. 

Behind many of these incredible scientific discoveries are people who have put years of research, time, energy, and resources into improving lives. Amazing individuals focusing their efforts on making life better for the next person, the next community, and the next generation to come.

But when you think of a scientist, what do you picture? Is it an Albert Einstein-esque white man in a lab coat? Because you might be surprised to know that, from space travel to climate change, many of the huge scientific achievements of our age were made by women of color, women whose names and accomplishments have gone unnoticed for far too long. 

Meanwhile, the issue of gender inequality in science continues to be an obstacle for women and girls today. In fact, just 35% of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students in higher education are women. This is particularly alarming, as highlighted by UNESCO, because STEM careers are often referred to as "jobs of the future", those that drive innovation, social well-being, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. 

So in commemoration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, on Feb. 11, we want to introduce you to five incredible women of color who have shaped (and are still shaping) the course of history through science. What’s more, you can also click here to take our quiz to find out more about the remarkable achievements of the women below. 

Read each of the profiles for these five incredible women of color in STEM—ranging from environmental science to physics—at: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/women-of-color-in-STEM-to-know/ 

Crosspost: U.N. leaders decry gender gap in STEM fields on Int'l Day of Women and Girls in Science

Written by Doug Cunningham for UPI

Out of over 600 Nobel Prize laureates in STEM fields, women account for just 3% of the awardees, despite making invaluable contributions to science research. 

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other U.N. leaders on Friday highlighted a gender gap in science, math, engineering and technology fields on International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

The U.N. chief emphasized that just one in three researchers in science and engineering are women.

"Structural and societal barriers prevent women and girls from entering and advancing in science," he said in a statement. "This inequality is depriving our world of enormous untapped talent and innovation. We need women's perspectives to make sure science and technology work for everyone."

Guterres said that action is needed to address the gender gap, including policies that "fill classrooms" with girls studying STEM fields.

Learn more about how the UN is working to address systemic underrepresentation of women in science by reading the full article at:

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2022/02/11/un-antonio-guterres-women-science-gender-gap/4091644589809/