Globally, women are grossly underrepresented in scientific research and development. Credit: Bigstock
URBANA, Illinois, Mar 17 2021 (IPS) - Over a month ago, the world celebrated the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. But the celebrations ring hollow when there’s still been no meaningful progress in the representation of women in the research sciences field. At present, less than 30 percent, of scientific researchers worldwide are women, a percentage that has been the same for almost a decade.
Despite this lag in progress, consistently, and predictably so, from the United Nations, to professional societies, to Universities, there is often the message shared that “Every girl can be a scientist”. As a woman scientist, who is very lucky to be in science, because, without luck, and I mean, nature’s luck, I would never been a scientist, I know this statement isn’t true right now.
Sierra Leonean poet Elizabeth L. A. Kamara
13 March 2021 at 22:26 |
1915 views
Elizabeth Kamara was born and bred in Sierra Leone and teaches at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone where she is Head of the English Unit, Department of Language Studies. Here is one of her most recent poems on International Women’s Day:
Do they even know itâs their day?
For all Unsung Women on the International Day of Women 2021
Oh women of the Sierra
Who till the land
To breathe and be
Do you even know itâs your day?
Women who keep bees
Women stung by life
PM Modi salutes Nari Shakti on International Women s Day
By IANS |
Published on
Mon, Mar 8 2021 11:57 IST |
0 Views
PM Modi salutes Nari Shakti on International Women s Day. Image Source: IANS News
New Delhi, March 8 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the indomitable spirit of women as the world celebrated the International Women s Day observed on March 8 every year. Saluting our indomitable #NariShakti on International Women s Day! India takes pride in the many accomplishments of the women of our nation. It is our Government s honour to be getting the opportunity to work towards furthering women empowerment across a wide range of sectors, Modi tweeted.
Mastercard and Expo 2020 Dubai to empower women
DUBAI, 25 days ago Mastercard is partnering with the Expo School Programme to expand its work in designing a better world for women by calling on girls across the UAE to join a virtual Girls4Tech session to celebrate International Women’s Day. Mastercard is hosting virtual Girls4Tech sessions in 23 countries to inspire girls across the globe to explore the possibilities of careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). A Mastercard signature education programme, Girls4Tech was launched to drive the interest of young girls in STEM subjects. The programme aims to help support the skill gap in the technology industry for girls in primary school, using basic technology and training content that effectively drives learning and engages curiosity.
by Donna Every, President, International Women’s Forum (IWF) Barbados
Barbados – New president of the Barbados Chapter of the International Women’s Forum (IWF), Donna Every, said that the chapter was pleased to join in celebrating International Women’s Day and that it fully endorses the theme #ChoosetoChallenge.
“IWF Barbados is a chapter of women leaders who choose to challenge the status quo, whether it is women in poverty, gender inequality or the under-representation of women in STEM careers, on boards of directors or in other leadership positions. To this end, we will continue to work on our areas of focus: Women in STEM, women on boards and the financial empowerment of young women,” Every said.