Currently, less than 30% of the world’s researchers are women, according to UNESCO. In the context where science and gender equality are essential for the achievement of sustainable development goals, efforts have been made over the past 15 years to encourage the participation of women and girls in science.
Nevertheless, the schooling rate of girls is rather low in certain sectors such as :
- 3 % of women in information and communication technologies
- 5% in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics
- 8 % in engineering, manufacturing and construction*
*According to United Nations data
Let us recall that the study plan elaborated by Mother Veronica of the Crucifix of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) already included, in its first version in 1850, large sections dedicated to sciences. In their schools, there have always been science classes to allow girls and boys to develop their abilities.
This day aims to raise public awareness on this issue. It is also an opportunity to celebrate the excellence of women in science and to remind “the international community that science and gender equality must go hand in hand in order to meet the major global challenges and achieve all the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” says the United Nations.
