Economic and Social Development- #February 11 Women & Girls in Science
IFSW attended the 8th International Day of Women & Girls in Science assembly was held on February 10th at the New York Headquarters. Member states, organizations, and civil society members gathered together to discuss the necessity for the inclusion of women and girls in order to accelerate the progress of SDGs 6, 7, 9, and 11. The event was initiated by HRH Princess Dr. Nisreen El- Hashemite- an Iraqi scientist and activist in the promotion of women in science and women’s health and development. She discussed the real possibility of reaching 150 million girls by 2030 and many more thereafter by placing importance on the positive impact that women and girls have in their vision to create an inclusive community. One that can contribute significantly to the 2030 SDGs.
Women and girls need to be represented in the world and even more in the area of science especially when it comes to planning and developing the infrastructure of transportation and creating a greener world. Shenae Osborn, IFSW representative stated, “Women are drastically underrepresented in their knowledge and ability for creating a world that takes every person no matter their age, gender, language, or physical capability. This is why I felt it was important to join this event on behalf of IFSW. I feel that as a female social worker, it is not only my duty to be present for such important conversations but also to share the knowledge so that we can collaborate and strategize so that we can be a part of a positive change”. Julianna Larock, IFSW representation intern stated, “This event was important for me because as a female that attended a math and science Charter High School where I was part of a robotics team, I felt I had a place where I was understood and taken seriously for my technological interests. This event was a place where I knew that women and girls were going to have an open space to be heard and recognized for their need to have global contribution”.
With so many organizations present like UN-Habitat, OECD, ITU, and many more, it was inspiring to see so many people come together to report the need to increase funding for STEM education, technology, research, and development to support girls in all parts of the world so that nobody is left behind and everyone is seen. The success of living in a greener more equitable world relies on science and technology. It requires all youth to know they have a place and a responsibility in this world to make a difference.
For background information please refer to this link: https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day