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UN marks 1st International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Xinhua, February 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, called for more efforts to empower girls and women through and in science, as a foundation to take forward the 2030 Agenda, said her message to mark the first International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

The new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development underlines the power of science as a driver for human rights and dignity, poverty eradication and the protection of the planet. "The new Agenda will not meet its promise without investing in women's and girls' empowerment through and in science," said Bokova.

She noted that almost 21 years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action from the 4th World Conference on Women, women remain underrepresented in the natural sciences.

According to the most recent UNESCO Science Report, women account for only 28 percent of researchers across the world, with the gap deepening at the higher echelons of decision-making, she said.

"This calls for deep and sustained change, starting in the earliest years through improved participation of women and girls in science education, training and research activities at all levels," she said.

Bokova has officially become a candidate for the position of the next Secretary-General. Ban Ki-moon's term as the eighth United Nations Secretary-General will conclude on Dec. 31, 2016.

Commemorating the very first observance of the day, a High-Level Forum was held on Thursday at the United Nations Headquarters by The Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT) and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). Princess Nisreen El-Hashemite, Executive Director of the Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT), also held a press conference here.

In order to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2015 declaring Feb. 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Enditem