Despite the global shortage of skilled workers, there is still a lack of women in engineering and technical sciences. According to the UNESCO World Science Report 2021, only 28% of engineering degrees and 40% of computer science degrees are completed by women. However, as many of today's global challenges require scientific and technical solutions, there is an urgent need to build more inclusive science and technology systems, said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11. This would make it possible to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals more quickly and overcome the challenges that affect us all.
To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, UNESCO is offering various formats dedicated to the work and achievements of women scientists in technological fields. The focus will be on the rapidly developing fields of space science, climate change, energy and computer science. Furthermore, the central role of women in achieving the goals of SDG 6 - clean water and sanitation - through scientific and technological developments will be addressed. Under the title "Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: Water Unites Us", scientific, social, economic and political aspects of SDG 6 will be discussed from the perspective of women in science. All of these disciplines not only play a crucial role in tackling global challenges, but are also crucial to the ongoing digital revolution.
The current World Science Report as well as information on background and event formats for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science can be found here UNESCO International Day of Women and Girls in Science.