On 11 February 2021, the world celebrates the 6th International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The celebration starts at the United Nations Headquarters virtually. In 2021, the venue addresses the theme “Women Scientists at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19”, gathering experts in the fields related to the pandemic from different parts of the world.
“Here at Perm State University, we are proud to have 214 (44.58 per cent) female students from various parts of the world, including the Caucasus and Central Asia, the Greater Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our University aims at providing most comprehensive education, which will be applicable in any part of the world,”
comments Vadim N. Gataulin, Head of PSU International Department.
At present, less than 30 per cent of researchers worldwide are women. According to UNESCO data (2014 – 2016), only around 30 per cent of all female students select STEM-related fields in higher education. Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in ICT (3 per cent), natural science, mathematics and statistics (5 per cent) and in engineering, manufacturing and construction (8 per cent).
“In all their cultural and language diversity, we appreciate our students as individuals, and are proud to have all gender as our young scholars. On this particular day, we wish our female students inspiration and most success in their academic career,”
Mikhail V. Grabevnik, Head of Academic Mobility Office, PSU, shares.
According to the UN The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has clearly demonstrated the critical role of women researchers in different stages of the fight against COVID-19, from advancing the knowledge on the virus to developing technics for testing and finally the vaccine against the virus. Diversity in research expands the pool of required researchers, bringing in fresh perspectives, talent and creativity.
At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic also had a significant negative impact on woman scientists, particularly affecting those at early-career stages, and thus contributing to widening the existing gender gap in science, and revealing the gender disparities in the scientific system, which need to be addressed by new policies, initiatives and mechanisms to support woman and girls in science.
In this framework, this year’s celebration of the Day will address the theme “Women Scientists at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19”, and gather experts working in fields related to the pandemic from different parts of the world.
Since 2015, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science raises acute issues, contributing to women’s excellence in science, reminding the international community that science and gender equality are essential at addressing major global challenges.
For further info and celebration schedule, please, see:
UN 11 February – 2021 Theme: Women Scientists at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19
6th International Day of Women & Girls in Science Assembly
UNESCO on International Day of Women and Girls in Science