#IDWGS Essay: Women and Girls in Science Leadership, a New Era for Sustainability. by Divya Thaarani

The international day of women and girls in science observed.February 11 annually works as a tribute to the achievements and contributions of women in technology ,engineering and mathematics (stem).The history of the international day of women and girls in science.They need women participation in education,science and technology.A resolution on December 20,2013 by the general assembly emphasized the importance of equal access for women and girls to science,technology and innovation.Despite advancements in women higher education a persistent gender gap exists in stem disciplines globally.

On Women’s Day, we celebrate all the women who have had a pioneering role in advancing science .Historically, women like Madam curie,Shankutala Devi, Janaki Ammal,Anna Mani,Tessy Thomas and Kalpana have made groundbreaking contributions to various scientific friends.Despite being underrepresented women constitute 30% of researches world wide according to UNESCO.The day acknowledges these achievements and calls for addressing the gender gap.The celebration of this day holds paramount significance by promoting gender equality highlighting achievements, inspiring future generation.

It is advocating for greater inclusion of women in leadership roles within the scientific community.The various activities and events are organized including conferences ,workshops,recognition of role models stem out reach programme,and social media campaigns using hashtags like #WOMENINSCIENCE and #GIRLSINSTEM .There are few women who decided societal norms such as Janaki Ammal she did a ground breaking research on sweet sugar,Anna Mani contribution to meteorology ,Tessy Thomas leadership in male dominated rocket project,and Kalpana Chawla pioneering role as the first Indian women aeronautical engineer at (NASA).

Challenges and opportunities faced by women despite progress,women in academia face challenges such as early biases,societal expectation and on ground experiences.Opportunities in the form of grants scholarships and initiative are available showcasing India’s commitment to promote gender equality in science.

These communities are instrumental in encouraging women to be their best selves and realizing that we are stronger when we come together. We trust that women who are empowered have the power to bring about positive change in the world.Women understand one another concerns, embarrassments, joys, and obstacles. Women communities foster empathy while also serving as a robust support system in more ways than one.

Today, women account for 40 percent of the global workforce and are at the helm of major establishments, yet there is no dearth of setbacks women face each day while pursuing their ambitions.History is full of women who made enormous contribution for science.Some of them rightfully well known like Marie curie,Ada Lovelace and Rosalind Franklin.But other like fossil hunter Mary Awning and NASA pioneer Katherine Johnson aren't such as household names.

Leadership generates eagerness, loyalty and respect among people. Leadership is not about working on the top powerful position rather it is about guiding the person in powerful position. Some define key characteristics of leadership is being able to present a vision which is the ability to see a big picture, empathy for society and peoples, self-confidence, determination to change or most importantly to start initial necessary change from themselves so that they make others willing to change for good cause. Most importantly, courage is necessary to take risks for the initiation of improvement in the people`s lives. Moreover, leader should be encouraging, supporting and courageous. That makes other willing to bring out the best in them which is more like challenging themselves to make better today than yesterday. Rewarding those who are doing better is also a characteristics of a good leadership.

Leadership is necessary in everyplace and everywhere. Different situation requires different types of leadership. In context of science, scientist achieve goals of shaping the behaviors of others without even making the group of people to work..To be a leaders there are many things that they have to perform. At first, they have to make decision, brainstorm the strategies this is they think ahead, assess issues that are likely to happen. It is like preparing for the situation ahead that is likely to happen later. It is more like starting out for climbing the mountain, they have to think ahead and prepare for the necessary tools and equipment, prepare the route, study about the pitfalls and alternatives and finalize where they will wind up.

There are lots of helping hands behind a successful leaders. In order to achieve goals compromise is a common activity among leaders when they attempt to confirm a delicate negotiation. They have to accept the request of others, manage and solve out the conflict in the workplace sometime create conflict in a healthy way so that it brings the better solution to a problem. They value the good work of the subordinates by giving rewards and motivating. In order to make a clear goals they give voice about the vision.

Science is the process which is developed through the interpretation of experimental and observational data applying models in a fixed logical structure. Science is based on the empirical ,theoretical and practical knowledge about the natural world given by the scientists after observation, explanation and prediction of real world. Science is such a field that research and teamwork is vital. Leadership provides vision to any teamwork in science that formulates the way the team and the team members should go in order to achieve the goals. Leadership is prominent in order to lead the team to the right direction. In past scientific discoveries were made because of the willingness to search for the new answers. Knowledge and technique were passed from generation to generation in oral tradition. Person who seek for the new answer led to the research and they were their own leaders.

At last women and girls in science underscores the significance of diversity and inclusive in the community.It honors women who have paved the way for future generations reaffirms the commitment to gender parity in science.The day serves as a reminder to encourage and support women and girls in scientific fields.At last I would like to finish my essay with a beautiful quote which says “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

About the Author

My name is Divya Thaarani A/P Prakash.I’m eleven years old.I born on 7 November 2012.I born at hospital Sungai Buloh.I’m studying in SJKT SARASWATHY SUNGAI BULOH.I live in BANDAR SERI COALFIELDS.My hobby is to read story books.My aim is to be a gynecologist doctor.I also like to sing Tamil songs.I like to eat aglio-olio spaghetti.My favourite beverage is lemon and strawberry shake.And my favourite colour is purple,pink,and blue.