Blog of Evelyne Para, SI Representative at UNESCO.

Earlier this year, on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated on 11 February 2024, this ‘Call to Action’ was addressed by UNESCO in collaboration with institutions and civil society partners to the global community: to policy-makers, universities, research and educational institutions, funding organisations and the private sector.

It was very interesting to participate in this face-to-face work at addressing the root causes of gender inequalities in science, as well as providing an opportunity to discuss and record best practices for implementing application this Call to Action.

The Audrey Azoulay introductory message reminded to us that we must realise, that society as a whole – and not just women – suffers from these inequalities, because fewer scientists also means fewer scientific innovations, fewer medical discoveries and less sustainable development. Gender equality is a global priority for UNESCO, and the support of young girls, their education and their full ability to make their ideas heard are levers for development and peace.

Objectives of this International Day

This International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an opportunity to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. It is a call to ensure that girls are never discouraged from pursuing their aspirations to become scientists and to convey to them that such goals are indeed attainable. It is also a call to dismantle the barriers that hinder women from realising their full potential in science, to break the glass ceiling that prevents them from attaining leadership positions in scientific systems across the world.

Current status of women and girls in Science around the world

Globally, women constitute about one-third of scientific researchers, a ratio that has changed little over the past decade. This proportion decreases at higher levels, with only 12% of the national academy of science members being women. The percentage of female scientists also varies by region: 23% in South Asia, 27% in Southeast Asia, 32% in sub-Saharan Africa, 34% in the EU, 41% in Arab States, 44% in Latin America and the Caribbean, 47% in Central Asia, and 52% in Southeast Europe. Gender gaps also differ by field, with fewer women in physics, engineering, and computer science, compared to more balanced or female-majority fields like life sciences and health.

 

Factors contributing to these trends

The gender gap in science is not due to innate differences between genders or heavily correlated with a countries economic development. Instead, it reflects societal factors and systemic barriers that limit women’s and girls’ access to scientific careers. These include social and cultural norms, lack of role models, underrepresentation in leadership, poorly qualified teachers, unsupportive learning environments, and inadequate professional structures. These factors collectively contribute to the ‘glass ceiling’ that prevents women from advancing to higher positions and achieving equal success with their male counterparts.

Call to Action with UNESCO

The pursuit of gender equality in science stands well within our reach. To attain it, we need concerted multistakeholder action in all sectors – public and private – to:

A) Dismantle gender stereotypes and biases in science through the enhanced visibility of female role models.

Gender stereotypes in the field of science are deeply embedded, resulting in persistent gendered roles, expectations and bias in many countries across the world. Fortunately, these gender stereotypes can be dismantled through specific targeted actions, including those focusing on the younger generation.

What actions can we take?

>>> Include more discoveries and stories from female scientists, with images, in school textbooks to establish a positive association between women and science.

>>> Increase the presence of female scientists in the media as well as in popular culture to showcase the variety of science related careers and dispel gender-based misconceptions.

>>> Organise and provide funding for outreach activities featuring female scientists to empower these women to share their professional journeys with the general public, as well as in formal and informal educational settings to support career orientation.

>>> Ensure an equitable representation of women and men on relevant boards, committees and panels to foster a culture of inclusivity within the scientific community.

>>> Increase opportunities for women scientists to access research grants and other sources of research funding.

>>> Promote a global network and platforms for women scientists to create meaningful professional networking connections worldwide.

 

 

B) Pathways for Girls in Science, through innovative and inspiring educational strategies and initiatives.

A greater proportion of girls are currently enrolled in school than at any point in history; however, they often enjoy fewer opportunities than boys particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Education plays a pivotal role in making the path to a career as a scientist seem both appealing and accessible.

What actions can we take?

>>> Ensure that science is introduced into the curriculum, beginning in pre-school, and that teachers employ methods that engage young learners, both boys and girls, in a playful and entertaining manner to spark their curiosity and to inculcate a culture of science from an early age.

>>> Ensure gender-balanced and gender-equitable representation in books, teaching and learning materials as well as the promotion of gender equality.

>>> Invest in rewarding excellent performance of girls in STEM subjects through provision of scholarships, awards and other incentives.

>>> Extend learning beyond traditional classrooms and expose learners to women in scientific fields, who can act as role models and mentors.

>>> Invest in specialised teacher trainings to equip educators with the skills they need to provide quality interdisciplinary gender-responsive STEM education.

C/ Creating Workplace Environments that Attract, Retain and Advance Women Scientists, through policies and actions that promote inclusion, diversity and equity.

Some women opt to leave scientific careers, due to unsupportive, biased or even hostile workplace cultures. Often, the lack of family-friendly, work-life balance measures and affordable childcare make it difficult for parents (mostly mothers) to stay in the system.

One trend of concern is known as the ‘leaky pipeline’, in which the gender gap widens as women progress in their scientific careers.

Women are also underrepresented in elevated positions in research governance structures, including in academies of science and science councils.

 

What actions can we take?

>>> Enact evidence-based gender-responsive institutional policies. Including: equal pay for work of equal value, transparency in pay and promotions, supporting work/life balance by enhancing childcare support measures, improving maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave, and shared parental leave benefits, and by providing flexible working hours and teleworking arrangements; establishing re-integration pathways for women scientists whose careers have been affected by motherhood and other family-related reasons.

>>> Take action against gender-based violence, including sexism and sexual harassment, by: besides strict punishments for perpetrators, establishing robust guidelines for reporting harassment in a safe environment which is equipped with adequate support systems.

>>> Promote women in leadership positions. For example, by collecting and reporting gender-disaggregated data at each management level to monitor and promote gender equality within organisations; promoting collaborations among female scientists, including through formal mentorship, sponsorship and networking programmes.

>>> Foster welcoming research environments that provide training and opportunities for all participants within a culture of equality.

>>> Encourage partnerships with female-owned or female-led businesses in the science sector.

Conclusion

To pull down the barriers that women and girls face in Science, we must challenge stereotypes, biases and cultural expectations imposed by our gendered societies. We must encourage women and girls to pursue their scientific dreams without reservation and that meaningful careers await those who take this path.

These actions and their potential impacts have relevance far beyond the field of science. Lack of gender equality in science is not just a problem that affects women. It also limits scientific progress and hamstrings a country’s development and its efforts to build inclusive and peaceful societies.