International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Miscellaneous

The year 2025 will mark the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS), celebrated annually on February 11.

This day advocates for the full and equal involvement of women and girls in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Global Perspective
- Women in STEM: As per UN data, women continue to be underrepresented in STEM education and professions worldwide, making up just 35% of STEM graduates.
- From 1901 to 2024, only 26 out of 650 Nobel Prize winners in Physics, Chemistry, and Physiology or Medicine have been women, highlighting the persistent gender gap in scientific recognition.
Indian Perspective
- Women in Research: According to government data presented in Lok Sabha (2024), women make up only 18.6% of the scientific workforce.
- STEM Enrolment: Women account for 43% of STEM students in higher education.
- Declining Representation: Despite notable enrolment, their presence decreases significantly at advanced research levels and leadership roles in scientific institutions.

National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations (NIDHI)
Vigyan Jyoti – Encouraging young girls to pursue careers in STEM.
Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) – Promoting gender inclusivity in scientific institutions.
WISE-KIRAN Scheme – Supporting women in science and engineering through various programs.
BioCARe Fellowship – Provides support to women scientists in biotechnology and related fields, helping them establish successful research careers.
Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) at Women’s Universities – TBIs have been set up at IGDTUW (Delhi), SPMVV (Tirupati), and iTBI at DTU to foster women-led innovation and promote gender inclusivity in entrepreneurship.