2019 International Day for Women and Girls in Science (Qatar)

The UNESCO Doha office and Qatar University are organizing an event to celebrate the International Day for Women and Girls in Science, on 10 February at the QU Research Complex Auditorium from 9am to 11am.

In the Middle East, recent studies show that women are outperforming their male counterparts in all areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). However, in Qatar, while young women are enrolling in engineering and science degrees at a greater rate than ever before, and achieving great success, they remain underrepresented in STEM fields of employment.

Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Over the past 15 years, the global community had committed its efforts to inspire and engage women and girls in science. Unfortunately, women and girls continue to be excluded from participating equally in scientific research and advancement. According to a study conducted in 14 countries, the probability of female students graduating with a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and PhD degree in science-related fields are 18 per cent, 8 percent, and 2 per cent respectively, while the corresponding percentages of male students are 37 per cent, 18 per cent, and 6 per cent. More studies shows that women in STEM fields publish less, are paid less for their research and do not progress as far as men in their careers.

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, in 2016 the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 70/212 establishing International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This Day is a reminder that women and girls play a critical role in science and technology communities and that their participation should be strengthened as drivers for peace and sustainable development.

The proposed event for the celebration of the International Day for Women and Girls in Science, will feature students’ presentation of their science projects from Al Bairaq, followed by a discussion amongst distinguished women panellists to address current challenges in reducing the gender gap and ensuring full and equal access to girls and women to leadership and careers opportunities in STEM fields.