Celebrating women and girls who are leading the way in science and innovation

As a new member of the International Science Council team, I could not be more thrilled to celebrate this special day then by joining ISC’s global voice for science at such a crucial time for scientific advancement.

I had the privilege of attending the 2020 International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly held at the UN headquarters in New York City and experiencing first-hand the inspiring community of female voices in science. In my remark about technology and sustainable development, I represented thousands of girls and boys who are taking part in the robotics programme FIRST Tech Challenge Romania, who are learning about science by applying it in creative and impactful ways, shaping their communities. Young people who are entering the field of science as the next scientists and innovators working together in a climate of equity and inclusion. It was a great joy to see in the General Assembly many girls who were taking part in the same global robotics programme and in many other scientific initiatives. I felt hopeful seeing them there and witnessing the power behind celebrating and supporting each other within the scientific community, a power that would make it possible for more women and girls everywhere to have access to STEM education and opportunities in science. 

Now, two years into the pandemic, a lot has changed, and we are celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly event in a virtual format. In this context, we realize even more firmly how important it is for the scientific community to be closely connected and to celebrate women and girls in science.  Women make up 70% of the health and social workforce, leading the way in COVID-19 pandemic response. In the latest joint message from UNESCO and UN Women on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we see the strong need to promote women in science to their full potential. Women currently account for only 28% of engineering graduates and just 22% of professionals working in artificial intelligence.

Moving forward, I am inspired by the amazing women leaders in science and social innovation from around the world and I am honored today to personally celebrate the women who I have the privilege to know and work with, who are shaping me along my science path and who are shaping the world:

I invite you to celebrate the 7th International Day of Women and Girls in Science, and its 2022 Theme: “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Water Unites Us” and explore our article: How to celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science – 2022.

Gabriela Ivan

Gabriela Ivan joins the ISC as a part time Junior Administration Officer. She is also an intern with the Permanent Delegation of Romania to UNESCO and the International Partnerships Manager of FIRST Tech Challenge Romania, the biggest robotics and STEM education program for high school students in Europe and third in the world.

Read Gabriela’s full profile.

Image by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash