International Day of Women and Girls in Science

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

International Day of Women and Girls in Science is a global observance aimed at recognizing and promoting the critical role that women and girls play in science and technology. This event endeavours to challenge gender bias and inequality, and advocate for full and equal access to participation in science for women and girls. It sheds light on female scientists' achievements, encourages more representation in STEM fields, where they are traditionally underrepresented, and inspires future generations.

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science was legitimately declared by the United Nations General Assembly to be celebrated worldwide on the 11th of February, starting from 2015. In the European Union, the observance is of particular importance given the Union's commitment to gender equality and scientific and technological innovation. The EU has implemented laws and policies to eliminate gender discrimination in education, employment, and career advancement. Despite this, women in the EU are still underrepresented in scientific research and development. This day serves as a reminder of the need for continued efforts to empower women and girls in scientific disciplines across the EU member states.

The observance of International Day of Women and Girls in Science in the European Union typically involves conferences, debates, and workshops. These events are often spearheaded by various governmental bodies, NGOs, and scientific institutions with activities in schools and universities to promote gender equality in science education. The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) actively promotes this day, inviting all stakeholders to reaffirm their commitment to creating stronger gender equality in science and technology. The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed on the 11th of February each year, the same day as the rest of the world.

Top 9 Facts for 2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science in the EU

• The 2026 global observance is centered around the official theme From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap, which prioritizes the implementation of concrete solutions over simply identifying existing barriers.
• Despite women representing approximately 48% of doctoral graduates across the European Union, a significant "leaky pipeline" persists in the technology sector, where women currently account for only 22% of professionals in the field of artificial intelligence.
• The year 2026 marks the launch of the STEM futures initiative, a European Commission program designed to identify and scale successful educational practices that specifically encourage young women to enter innovation-driven industries.
• Scientific attention in the region is increasingly focused on the gender data gap in medical research, with the 2026 observance highlighting the necessity of ensuring that health solutions and clinical trials are representative of all genders.
• A primary focus for European policymakers this year is the integration of the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2026–2030, which aims to safeguard progress in research and innovation against potential socio-economic regressions.
• The 2026 event hosted at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris will specifically address the role of scientific entrepreneurship and the unique challenges faced by women-led startups within the Horizon Europe framework.
• Statistical insights from the latest She Figures report indicate that while women outnumber men in higher education across the Union, they remain underrepresented in senior leadership positions and patent authorship, a trend the Girls go STEM program aims to reverse by attracting one million girls to the field by 2028.
• Prominent figures like Fabiola Gianotti, the first female Director-General of CERN, continue to serve as vital references for the 2026 campaign Imagine a world with more women in science, which seeks to increase the visibility of high-impact female researchers across the continent.
• New educational methodologies known as STE(A)M, which integrate the arts and social sciences with traditional technical subjects, are being rolled out across European schools through 2026 to make scientific careers more attractive and socially relevant to young girls.

In the News and Trending in the EU for International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Top things to do in the EU for this observance

• Discover 12 notable women in STEM who have made a lasting impact on history.
• Learn how to get children interested in STEM. Some tips include cooking and baking as the mixing and measuring of values can create an interest in science. Other tips include using more math in everyday life. Discover more tips.
• Watch a film to learn more about Women and Girls in Science:
  The Gender Equality Paradox (2011): This Norwegian documentary explores why Nordic countries, considered the most gender-equal societies in the world, have the lowest participation of women in STEM fields.
  Hidden Figures (2016): Although not EU-based, it is an important internationally acclaimed movie that recounts the true story of three African-American female mathematicians who played vital roles in NASA's space program.
• Visit the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) events: Through their initiative, EIT WOMEN, they organize engaging workshops, seminars, and panel discussions to inspire future generations of female innovators.