On the United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Global Young Academy, led by its Women in Science working group Co-Leads, Shalini Arya (EEL USP Lorena, Brazil) and Roula Inglesi-Lotz (University of Pretoria, South Africa), joins the international community in celebrating the achievements of women in science, while also acknowledging the struggles of realising a day where women, girls, men and boys have similar rights, equal education, equal jobs, and equal pay.
The GYA’s Women in Science working group aims to have the voice of women scientists widely heard to reach policy and decision makers with the target of a better future for female scientists. Below are the group’s Co-Leaders UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science Day messages:
“On the occasion of UN’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science let’s pray together, let’s work together to end gender inequality. May we see the day where men, women, girls and boys have similar rights, equal jobs and equal education.
We the women scientists have to take the challenge of converting our hurdles and difficulties into success and be role models. We have to realise our strengths and break the walls of gender inequality so that our young daughters enjoy freedom in the future.
My dear friends in #WomeninScience, be a proud mother, daughter, sister, wife, be a proud woman and proud woman scientist!”
“The UN’s International Day of Women and Girls In Science is a day not only for the celebration of the achievements of Women in Science through the decades. It is not only a day to discuss the challenges and despair at the under-representation of women in science. It is primarily a day to remind us of our responsibility as scientists, academics, researchers and society overall to create the conditions and environment for young girls to love science, to follow their dreams, and to believe that no matter the constraining factors and status quo of male domination in many fields, they can make a difference.
We as #WomeninScience need to provide the role models to girls in science. We need to do so actively by engaging in dialogues and sharing our experiences and expertise. This is the only way to make science attractive for young girls as a career option.
May the UN International Day of women and girls in science one day be only one of the celebration of achievements and accomplishments. And who knows? Maybe one day we will not need a special separate special day for women and girls.”
More information on the United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science Day is available here.
