International Women and Girls in Science Day (With Poster!)
February 11th is International Women and Girls in Science Day! Inspire the girls in your life with our Women Heroes of Science poster (download below).
February 11th is International Women and Girls in Science Day! This year’s theme pays tribute to the incredible women doctors, scientists, and workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 response. Within the past year alone, women in science have contributed to ground-breaking discoveries in public health, vaccines, and testing; they’ve shown strength, determination and unfaltering compassion caring for the sick; and they’ve braved the front lines of the pandemic in disproportionate numbers. The world has seen first-hand that women don’t just belong in science, women improve science.
We’ve made strides to ensure women are included in science, but there is still work to be done when it comes to ensuring they can thrive at higher levels. Women account for more than half of the US’s college-educated workforce, yet only 28% of the STEM workforce is comprised of women. Women also make up a disproportionate number of front line workers, while just 33% of researchers worldwide are women. We cannot expect science to solve complex problems, like climate change, antibiotic resistance, food insecurity and the future of energy without unlocking the potential of half the population.
So how do we support women and girls in science? Women in science face pervasive bias and underrepresentation, and they receive lower pay their male counterparts. To close the gender gap, we must make strides in education, academia and industries to correct inequalities that inhibit women’s progress throughout the STEM pipeline. Comparing the number of women in front line roles to the number of women in research tells us that we are not doing enough to support the success of women in higher education. While a cultural shift is much needed, individuals in positions of power, including professors, research leads, managers and others can significantly influence the success of women in STEM by taking local action. By improving their awareness of the challenges and discrimination women face and taking actions to create a more equitable environment, these individuals can empower women in science, support their success, and position them as role models for young girls.
Encouraging girls to pursue science is not all that different from encouraging boys. Traditionally, boys have had no difficulty imagining themselves as scientists, doctors and astronauts. In contrast, young girls have only recently begun seeing people who look like them in these roles. Getting girls excited about science and technology involves providing them with mentors, engaging them in explorations that spark their interest, and actively correcting misconceptions that result in young girls perceiving science as a male field.
Women have made significant progress in increasing their presence in STEM, but they remain under-represented in STEM career fields. Together, we can achieve a more equitable future, one in which women are equally valued, supported, and represented across all levels of science. And in doing so, we can inspire the next generation of girls in science with success stories that feel as though they could be their own.
File Attachments
| Women Heroes of Science Poster | File Size: 2.28 MB |