LIVE: Webinar on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science
11 February 2025 – On the 10th International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) is organizing a webinar to emphasize the vital contributions of women in STEM and discuss strategies to enhance their participation across the Euro-Mediterranean region. The event will highlight regional progress and challenges, the role of dialogue on advancing gender equality in science as a driver for socio-economic development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
February 11, 2025, marks the tenth annual celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science1, recognizing the vital contributions of women and girls to scientific and technical fields, and as agents of change. Achieving gender equality in science will be essential if we are to address the complex global challenges we face, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, extreme poverty and the need for ethical approaches to artificial intelligence. Despite some progress in recent decades, gender equality in science remains elusive. Even countries that have reached gender parity in terms of researchers are still facing important challenges in achieving it in all aspects, since vertical and horizontal segregation persist.
In the Euro-Mediterranean context, empowering women in STEM is a strategic imperative for achieving any scientific, developmental and cultural goal, and foster peace and stability across the region.
The Union for the Mediterranean’s (UfM) 5th Ministerial Declaration on Strengthening the Role of Women in Society (Madrid, 2022) underscores the importance of addressing these barriers and highlights the need for targeted measures to promote women’s participation in STEM fields.
The Mediterranean region is experiencing remarkable growth, with a shift toward greater female participation in the STEM field, paving the way for future generations of Mediterranean women. According to UNESCO, 57% of STEM graduates in the MENA region are women, reflecting a strong foundation for advancing gender balance in science.
A UfM report on Science and Innovation Diplomacy in the Mediterranean highlights the significant achievements of women in the Mediterranean who are leading groundbreaking research and serving as policymakers, research leaders, and champions in their fields. However, it also emphasizes the need for further support to expand women’s roles in science diplomacy and leadership. Addressing systemic barriers and enhancing capacity-building initiatives remain critical.
This webinar provides a platform to celebrate accomplishments, share good practices, and chart actionable steps to further support women in science and innovation for regional prosperity.
