International Day of Women and Girls in Science celebrated on February 11 was established by the UN General Assembly in 2015. Resolution A/RES/70/212 was requested by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UN Women, ITU and other organizations for which it is important for women to have equal access to science and support their development at all levels of education. The celebration aims to highlight the role of women in the development of science, above all their visibility and to highlight, for years marginalized, the contribution of women. Scientific and technological environments have also been difficult for women for a long time, which has greatly influenced the key positions held by women in this environment.
The history of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science begins with the organization ITU (International Telecommunication Union) - it was she who drew attention to the predominant number of men in the sector of modern technology. From this step, they began to work to promote ICT among women and men. The aim of such action is, of course, equality and sustainable development; that is, sustainable also in the social dimension.
In Poland, we also celebrate this holiday thanks to the New Technologies for Girls program, which has already been held 9 editions. It is a scholarship program for young women tying their future to the tech industry. Thanks to the project, young women receive substantive and financial support, under the supervision of a mentor they can develop their research and scientific interests and pursue the achievements of women in this field.
Women in Science: A History
Let's take a look at the history of women in science and our acquaintance with female scientists. Usually the first and sometimes the only female representative of the exact sciences for us is Maria Skłodowska-Curie - not surprisingly, the Polish Nobel laureate is even an iconic heroine, not only of the great development of science, but also of the feminist breakthrough. Skłodowska-Curie was the first woman Nobel laureate whose scientific path led through universities at that time, in the 19th century, which were not accessible and favorable to the scientific development of women. It can be said that her biography was, for those times, absolutely revolutionary in relation to the prevailing social conventions. However, Skłodowska-Curie herself is not the only name of a woman who should be written on the pages of the history of science. Why are women still underrepresented? Because the history that we learn in schools, that which boys and girls learn, is constructed on a one-dimensional hero: male, white, conquering - and we have accepted this history of the world as basic, natural, unique. What about so-called herstoria? Who have we forgotten? Or who was it convenient not to talk about? It is certainly a whole bunch of stories about the careers of women who saw the light too late and are so worth telling so that the story of science can be reconstructed and give hope and opportunity to all women who want to have a part in it.
On her Instagram profile, Justyna Suchecka, journalist of TVN24 highlighted several great mathematicians, about whom we do not talk much, and who have made a great contribution to the development of this field of science. These include:
Hypatia of Alexandria (370-415): engaged in the study of the cones of Apollonius of Perge, and whose name one of the asteroids is named, died at the hands of religious fanatics. Maria Gaetana Agnesi (1718-1790): who wrote the first complete work dedicated to the analysis of finite and infinitely small quantities, which influenced her success and admission to the Bologna Academy of Sciences. Sophie Germain (1776-1831), mathematician who received the prize of the French Academy of Sciences for her analysis of the phenomenon of elasticity. Her path, however, was not easy; she had to get notes from lectures at the Ecole Polytechnique, which women were then not allowed to enter. Ada Lovelace (1815-1852): her contributions to science and the publication on Charles Babbage's mechanical computer were not appreciated until a century later. Lovelace's mathematical proofs can be considered the first computer program.
Women in science: data
Currently, women make up 48% of all academic teachers in Poland. In the humanities and social sciences (SSH), the proportion of female researchers is 50%, while in science and technology (STEM) it is only 33%. In addition, women in STEM are less likely to achieve the title of professor, which reflects a less favorable glass ceiling index for them.
National Science Center in 2021 conducted a survey, with on the functioning of women and men in science. The survey was conducted using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) method on a targeted sample. The survey was mainly completed by women from the humanities, social sciences and the arts and men from the exact and technical sciences. The largest group of respondents were doctors, and most of the respondents work in cities with a population of more than 500 thousand inhabitants.
The most important conclusions of the study are:
(No) belief in success: Both women and men apply for grants mainly out of a desire to advance their research, continue their research and build a career. However, women are more likely than men to have doubts about their chances of getting financing. The critical assessment of their own achievements and the lack of support in scientific units make them more likely to give up applying. They also have less information about grant competitions.
Both sexes show similar interest in the role of project manager, but men are more likely to choose the role of contractor to avoid administrative burdens.
Why is gender balance important?
Gender balance promoted in universities is consistent with the principles of social justice and equality and forms the foundation of modern educational institutions. The presence of women contributes to the promotion of gender equality, equal rights and the breaking of gender stereotypes. It creates a work environment that is inclusive, supportive, which contributes to employee satisfaction and well-being. It also shows the younger generation that the world can be shaped in a sustainable and equitable way when it comes to women's equal access to education. And this approach contributes to a different understanding and perception also of the labor market, where discrimination on the basis of gender continues to occur in the labor market.
At Jobs Door, we promote equality, diversity and inclusivity in the context of the labor market, aiming to increase the participation of women in various professional sectors. On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we wish all women success in science and further development of their scientific careers.
Sources:
- https://www.stypendiadladziewczyn.pl/pl/o-programie
- https://opi.org.pl/kobiety-w-nauce/
- https://rownowazni.uw.edu.pl/funkcjonowanie-kobiet-i-mezczyzn-w-nauce-wyniki-badania-ncn/
- https://radon.nauka.gov.pl/analizy/kobiety-w-nauce
- https://www.umcs.pl/pl/wszystkie-aktualnosci%2C23641%2Cwciaz-za-malo-kobiet-w-stem%2C160750.chtm?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- https://www.instagram.com/p/DF7vZ6yOHK4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA ==
