By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN chief António Guterres on Tuesday in his message for the day said that STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are crucial to economic growth yet gender inequality in these fields remains widespread.
“Despite the progress, women still make up only one-third of the global scientific community and face significant barriers in funding, publishing and leadership roles in STEM,” he said.
He marked the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, the need to remove these barriers is more urgent than ever.
Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science, is this year’s theme highlights the importance of empowerment and ensuring women have equal access to opportunities.
According to the UNESCO, the education is key to achieving gender equality in STEM, yet 122 million girls worldwide are currently out of school.
Those who receive formal education, gender stereotypes and societal expectations discourage many from pursuing scientific careers, the agency said.
President of the General Assembly, H.E. Philémon Yang, emphasized the need for action: “As artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies reshape the economy, women and girls must have the skills to seize these opportunities.”
He pointed out that progress has stalled over the past decade, with only 15 percent of young female graduates choosing STEM disciplines, compared to 35 percent of their male peers.
Mr. Guterres said that the lack of female participation, particularly in artificial intelligence, results in biased technologies and reinforces inequality.
More diversity in STEM would not only create fairer systems but also drive economic growth.
The World Economic Forum estimated that doubling the number of women in the technology workforce by 2027 could add 600 billion euros to the global economy.
UNESCO and UN Women call for gender-sensitive teacher training, mentorship programs and greater investment in STEM education for girls to address these challenges.
The key highlight of this year’s event was an astronaut-led panel discussion in New York, featured 16 female astronauts 20 per cent of all women astronauts worldwide.
Amanda Nguyen, astronaut and founder of Rise, an organization advocating for sexual assault survivors.
“Women survivors’ dreams still matter, even the outrageous ones, like flying to space,” she told the Assembly.
According to the National Institutes of Health, over 50 per cent of women faculty and staff in STEM have experienced sexual harassment.
Former astronaut Dr. Cady Coleman explained that “the only people who are going to help you, are the people next to you”, talked about her experience in space.
She emphasized that the international community needs to act in unison.
This year’s event is a reminder that tackling global challenges from climate change to public health – requires the full participation of women and girls in science.
As the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action turns 30, global leaders are being urged to move beyond symbolic commitments and take concrete action to close the gender gap in STEM.
“We know the solutions,” said Mr. Yang.
He called for targeted policies and sustained investment in STEM education. “Let us not just mark these milestones let us honour them with action,” he concluded.
The adopted Pact for the Future emphasized science as a driver of gender equality, aiming to remove systemic barriers and open more opportunities for women in STEM.
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