#IDWGS Essay - Women And Girls In Science Leadership: A New Era For Sustainability by Avnee Khandal

Women And Girls In Science Leadership: A New Era For Sustainability

Introduction: The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, observed on February 11annually, works as a tribute to the achievements and contributions of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).The 2024 theme, “Women and Girls in Science Leadership, a New Era for Sustainability,” along with the sub-theme “Think Science…Think Peace,” underscores the significance of women taking leadership roles in building a sustainable growth.

The History of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Established on March 14, 2011, the Commission on the status of Women recognized the need for women’s 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’s higher education, a persistent gender gap exists in STEM disciplines.

Achievements in Women’s Contribution to Science: Historically, women like Madame Curie, Shakuntala Devi, Janaki Ammal, Anna Mani, Tessy Thomas, and Kalpana Chawla have made groundbreaking contributions to various scientific fields. Despite being underrepresented, women constitute 30% of researchers worldwide, according to UNESCO. The day acknowledges these achievements and calls for addressing the gender gaps.

Importance of Celebrating Women in Science: The celebration of this day holds paramount significance by promoting gender equality, highlighting achievements, inspiring future generations, and advocating for greater inclusion of women in leadership roles within the scientific community.

Activities and Events: Globally, various activities and events are organized, including conferences, workshops, recognition of role models, STEM outreach programs, and social media campaigns using hashtags like #WomenInScience and # #GirlsInSTEM.

Inspiring Stories of Women in Science: Highlighting the stories of women who defied societal norms, such as Janaki Ammal’s groundbreaking research on sweetening sugar, Anna Mani’s contributions to meteorology, Tessy Thomas’s leadership in a male-dominated rocket project, Kalpana Chawla’s pioneering role as the first Indian woman aeronautical engineer at NASA, and Shakuntala Devi’s extraordinary mathematical abilities.

Challenges and Opportunities Faced By Women: Despite progress, women in academia face challenges such as early biases, societal expectations, and on-ground experiences. Opportunities in the form of grants, scholarships, and initiatives are available, showcasing India’s commitment to promoting gender equality in science and technology.

Conclusion: The International day of Women and Girls in Science underscores the significance of diversity and inclusivity in the scientific community. It honors women who have paved the way for future generations and reaffirms the commitment to gender parity in science. The day serves as a reminder to encourage and support women and girls in scientific fields, valuing their contributions to knowledge and innovation.

About the Author

My name is Avnee Khandal.I am currently pursuing my LL.B 5year integrated course from Mahatma Jyotirao Phoole University.My hobbies are reading and writing legal essays.