11 February International Day for Women in Science

According to Lakshmi Puri, UN Assistant-Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, ‘In low- to middle-income countries, a woman is 21 per cent less likely to own a mobile phone than a man, and the divide is similar for Internet access. The possibilities of scientific and technological progress is almost limitless, yet women and girls are sorely missing in these fields, particularly as a creators and decision-makers in spheres that are transforming our everyday world.’ In September 2015 the UN General Assembly declared 11 February the International Day for Women in Science. Coinciding with the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, or Agenda 2030, which are underpinned by science, technology and innovation (STI) and call for gender equality throughout, including under the standalone goal on gender equality, Goal 5, this day has the potential to reverberate across the world. In addition to serving as an annual reminder to highlight women and gender issues, this day serves as a call to action to take advantage of the opportunity gap for digitally skilled workers, which can be taken advantage of to fulfill personal and global objectives.