Despite centuries of brilliant women shaping science, from Ada Lovelace designing the first computer algorithm to Marie Curie winning two Nobel Prizes, girls and women have historically faced barriers in STEM fields. And this has resulted in the current under-representation of women in STEM.
Stereotypes, limited access to education, and underrepresentation in research and leadership have left half of the world’s talent untapped.
Recognizing this, the United Nations General Assembly established 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science as a day to celebrate achievements of women and girls in science in order to inspire the next generation, and ensure that curiosity and talent, not gender, define the future of science.
The day was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly on 22 December 2015 through Resolution 70/212, establishing 11 February as the official day of observance.
This initiative was strongly supported by UNESCO and UN Women, and aligns closely with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
The day was not created in isolation; it is the culmination of centuries of contributions by women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), alongside persistent advocacy for gender equity.
Historical Context and Pioneering Women in STEM
Women have contributed significantly to scientific progress, often in the face of discrimination:
- Hypatia (c. 350–415 CE) – Early recorded female mathematician and astronomer.
- Ada Lovelace (1815–1852) – First computer programmer.
- Marie Curie (1867–1934) – First woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to be awarded Nobel Prizes in two sciences.
- Rosalind Franklin – Key contributor to discovering DNA’s double helix.
- Sofia Kovalevskaya – First woman in Europe to earn a PhD in mathematics.
Despite these breakthroughs, women remained underrepresented due to societal biases, restricted access to education, pay gaps, and limited career progression.
The creation of this day is a global acknowledgment that such exclusion hampers scientific progress and development.
Factors Behind Establishing the Day
The International Day for Women & Girls in Science was created due to the following reasons, with the aim to promote awareness, celebrate achievements, and inspire the coming generations of girls to pursue STEM careers.
- Stereotypes and Cultural Biases – Discouragement of girls from pursuing STEM careers.
- Access and Opportunity Gaps – Fewer educational programs, mentorships, and research opportunities for women.
- Underrepresentation in Leadership – Women are less likely to hold senior positions in science and research.
- Global Development Implications – Science is essential for solving global challenges, and excluding women reduces the world’s talent pool.
The first celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science took place on 11 February 2016 at UN Headquarters in New York City, where leading women scientists and notable female researchers were recognized alongside workshops designed to encourage girls to engage with STEM careers.
Global campaigns through the use of social media and educational outreaches are also used to raise awareness about the importance of gender equality in science all over the world.
Since then, the day has grown into an annual international observance, with each year highlighting themes such as leadership in science, closing the gender gap, and fostering innovation.
Today, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science emphasizes increasing female enrollment in STEM education, promoting mentorship and role models for girls, encouraging policy reforms to ensure workplace equality, and highlighting the achievements of women scientists worldwide.
Beyond recognition, it serves as a platform for action, advocating that talent, curiosity, and capability, rather than gender, should determine participation and leadership in scientific discovery, and inspiring a new generation of girls to pursue careers in science and technology.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is more than a symbolic observance; it is a reminder of centuries of struggle and achievement. From Marie Curie to modern pioneers like Maryam Mirzakhani, women have consistently advanced science despite systemic barriers. By formally dedicating a day to this cause, the United Nations signals a global commitment to equality, opportunity, and the recognition that scientific progress benefits when everyone’s talent is fully realized.
Despite the undeniable underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, with only about 22% of STEM graduates, the sector continues to grow and expand daily. And Nigerian women are a major part of this growth as they continue to break barriers and inspire others to go into STEM fields.
- Dr. Ozak Esu: Electrical engineer contributing to sustainable energy solutions
- Professor Francisca Nneka Okeke: Physicist and first female head of the Physics Department at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka
- Dr. Eucharia Oluchi Nwaichi: Environmental biochemist focusing on pollution and bioremediation
- Dr. Adeola Olubamiji: Biomedical engineer and first Black person to earn a PhD in the field from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada
- Dr. Wendy Okolo: Aerospace engineer and one of the first Black women to obtain a PhD in the field.
- Funke Opeke: Founder and CEO of MainOne, a leading telecommunications company, and founder of the first privately owned submarine cable connecting West Africa to Europe.
- Francisca Okeke: First female Head of the Physics Department at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, specializing in atmospheric science and ionosphere research.
- Wendy Okolo: Aerospace research engineer at NASA, first Black woman to obtain a PhD in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington.
- Ada Nduka Oyom: Founder of She Code Africa, empowering women and girls in tech across Africa.
- Omowunmi Sadik: Distinguished Professor at Binghamton University, developing biosensors for environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics.
- Dora Akunyili, the late Director-General of NAFDAC, transformed the agency into a respected regulator.
- Stella Adadevoh: Late physician who stopped the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Nigeria.
- Ire Aderinokun: Nigeria’s first female Google Developer Expert, user interface designer, and advocate for women in tech.
These woman contniue to pave the way for expansion in STEM, create spaces for women and Girls to get involved, and make their mark.
Umm E Habiba Kiki Onyekwu
Punjab, Pakistan Abuja, Nigeria
