A United Nations report, released on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, declared an increase in the number of women graduating with life science degrees. However, the report also underlined the need for more women in engineering and computer science. This need is evident in countries with developing economies.
The agency’s report, entitled “UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization found in its UNESCO Science Report: Towards 2030,” says that a steady decrease in females who obtain degrees in computer science is at a steady decrease since 2000 in high-income nations. Furthermore, female graduates in computer science have slipped in the United States, Latin America, Australia, Caribbean, and New Zealand between 2000 and 2012. However, there is also a notable increase in women engineers in developing countries, which include Arab and sub-Saharan territories. For instance, the United Arab Emirates created national policies to promote employment and trainings that would benefit women in science.
UN News Centre reports that UNESCO released the report to serve as “wake-up call” to encourage higher participation among women in the field of sciences which is expanding globally. It also serves as a foundation for the growth of national economies. Moreover, it affects the everyday life of our people regardless of gender, race and beliefs.
According to Geekdad, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science was adopted by the General Assembly as a resolution to “recognize the critical role of women and girls in science and technology communities”. This endeavor is pursued by various organizations like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). They support and promote the access of women and girls and their participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, training and research activities at all levels. The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated every February 11th of each year.
One female scientist, who has garnered attention from the global media, is Dr. Shawna Pandya, a former intern at NASA. She recently denied rumors that she will be a part of any space mission organized by the international space agency. She could have been the third female astronaut of Indian origin to fly in space.
