The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed on 11 February every year. The United Nations has called for efforts to improve their representation by removing barriers like unequal access to education and discrimination.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said that studies reveal that gender bias in science leads to worse outcomes—from drug tests that treat the female body as an aberration, to search algorithms that carry bias, and discrimination.
“Yet, in too many places around the world, women and girls’ access to education is limited or denied completely. As women look to progress in scientific careers, inequalities and discrimination continue to thwart their potential,” he said in his message.
Here are some facts about girls and women in science:
- Only one in five persons working in Artificial Intelligence is a woman.
- There are biases, stereotypes, and barriers preventing them.
- Sponsorship, internship, and training programs are required for girls to foray into the field. Women need retention programs and mentorship to make a mark.
Source: UN
