Celebrating Women in Science: The International Day of Women and Girls in Science
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS) serves as a platform to recognize and promote the contributions of women in scientific disciplines. Amidst significant advancements in higher education for women, a persistent gender gap remains in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Significance of the Day
February 11, 2025, marks the tenth anniversary of IDWGS, a date designated by the United Nations to celebrate women’s achievements in science globally. The UN emphasizes the need to empower women and girls to pursue careers in STEM, highlighting their essential role in fostering innovation and growth.
As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated, society must “help pave a path to STEM careers that women and girls deserve—and our world needs.”
Current Landscape in STEM
Despite the critical importance of STEM fields to national development, gender equality remains elusive. According to UNESCO:
- Only 33.3% of researchers globally are women.
- A mere 35% of students enrolled in STEM fields are women.
- In 2016, approximately 30% of countries reached gender parity among researchers.
This year’s celebration at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris will focus on the theme: Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science, with events held both in person and online.
Recognizing Women Leaders in Science
This year, it is essential to highlight some remarkable Indian women making significant contributions to science:
- Seetha Coleman-Kammula: A pioneering chemist leading the sustainability initiative, Simply Sustain, which focuses on environmentally conscious manufacturing.
- Sudha Murthy: Chairperson of the Infosys Foundation and an accomplished author, excelling in engineering education and philanthropy.
- Mallika Srinivasan: Chairman of Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited, driving significant revenue growth in the agricultural machinery sector.
- Nigar Shaji: An aerospace engineer with ISRO, pivotal in India’s solar exploration through the Aditya-L1 project.
- Sudha Bhattacharya: A professor at JNU, recognized for her research in molecular parasitology.
- Sunita Sarawagi: Noted for groundbreaking research in databases at IIT Bombay.
- Tessy Thomas: Known as the ‘Missile Woman of India,’ she has significantly advanced India’s missile defense capabilities.
- Gagandeep Kang: The first Indian woman elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, she is renowned in microbiology.
