10 years of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science

February 11 is International Day of Women and Girls in Science, created in 2015 by UNESCO and the UN. It highlights the essential role of women in science and raises awareness of the importance of their participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields.

10 years on, what real impact has this initiative had? What challenges lie ahead to achieve greater equality in research and innovation?

Telecom SudParis committed to women and girls in science

At Telecom SudParis, we actively support the presence of women and girls in science. Through awareness-raising initiatives, mentoring programs and specific events, we encourage female students to fully engage with science and technology disciplines.

For the 10^th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting equal opportunity and diversity in scientific careers.

Looking back at 10 years of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Thanks to the international mobilization around the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, several significant advances have been made:

🔹 Greater visibility and recognition: Female scientists are given greater prominence through awards, distinctions and initiatives aimed at recognizing their contributions.

🔹 Greater access to science courses: Many schools and universities have set up programs to encourage girls to study science and technology.

🔹 Progress in STEM careers: Although women are still under-represented, the proportion in the science and technology sectors is increasing.

🔹 Stronger equality policies: Many companies and institutions are adopting measures to promote gender diversity and inclusion in research laboratories and innovation projects.

However, despite these advances, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science continues to be a crucial reminder that disparities persist and further efforts are needed.

Continuing challenges for women in science

🔹 A lack of representation in positions of responsibility: Less than 30% of the world's researchers are women, and they remain under-represented in senior positions in scientific institutions.

🔹 Persistent gender stereotypes: Preconceived ideas about scientific careers continue to influence the career choices of girls, making the gender balance skewed in certain disciplines, particularly engineering and artificial intelligence.

🔹 The pay gap still in place: In many countries, female scientists earn less on average than their male counterparts with the same skills.

🔹 Difficulties in work-life balance: Academic and scientific careers require significant time investment, which can slow down the progression of women's careers.

These issues are at the heart of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which seeks to raise awareness each year among public and private players of the need for greater equality in access to scientific careers.

Prospects: Towards greater inclusion of women in science

To accelerate the inclusion of women in scientific careers, several levers can be activated:

✅ Encourage scientific vocations from an early age: Develop educational programs and mentoring initiatives to inspire girls and give them confidence in their scientific skills.

✅ Highlight female role models: The more that girls see examples of successful women scientists, the more legitimate they will feel to embark on these careers.

✅ Strengthen equality policies in companies and institutions: Implement concrete measures to ensure equal pay and opportunities in STEM careers.

✅ Highlight women's contributions to science: Through awards, publications and events such as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, it is essential to continue promoting the achievements of women researchers and engineers.

Conclusion

10 years after its creation, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science remains essential for promoting equality in STEM careers. Let's continue our efforts to inspire and encourage future generations of women scientists.