Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science

The following article is adapted from Girls’ -and Women’s- in Science Day , written by Cristina Carvallo of World Vision in February 2025

February 11 marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. It’s a day to celebrate achievement, reflect on gender equality and commit to building a more inclusive future.

This year’s theme is From vision to impact: Redefining STEM by closing the gender gap. It’s not just a topic of focus––it’s a challenge to help us move beyond good intentions into meaningful action.

From vision...

At World Vision Canada, there’s a powerful goal: a world where girls and women can fully participate in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Free to pursue their dreams and interests without barriers, stereotypes or discrimination.

For many girls, especially those living in the fragile contexts of the world’s most dangerous places, this goal remains distant for a variety of reasons:

• Lack of education: approximately 130 million girls worldwide are out of school
• Lack of opportunities: gender stereotypes can force girls away from STEM programs as they are seen as “for boys only.”
• Lack of resources: nine out of 10 teen girls and young women in low-income countries lack Internet access
• Lack of role models: globally, 63% of female students say they have no STEM role models to look up to

Combined with poverty, early marriage or expectations of assuming a more traditional, in-home caregiver role, the doors to STEM for girls are slammed and bolted shut.

The message soon becomes that STEM is “not for girls.” This year’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science theme seeks to change that narrative.

...To impact

Making STEM accessible to all girls everywhere requires systemic transformation to ensure:

• Equal access to quality education
• Safe and supporting learning environments
• Mentorship and leadership resources and pathways
• Support for girls and women to thrive at every stage of their STEM journey

When girls are empowered to pursue science, entire communities benefit. More women in STEM leads to stronger health care systems, more sustainable climate change solutions and more inclusive innovation.

• From sponsorship to STEM: Sneha was a sponsored child from India. Her determination, along with child sponsorship, allowed her to work in STEM with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.

Why closing the gender gap in STEM matters

A young girl sees a shooting star at night. Or she’s fascinated by the engine of an old car. Or she’s interested in knowing how technology really works.

Curiosity sparks imagination. Imagination sparks innovation. Innovation sparks change.

Women remain underrepresented in many STEM fields worldwide. It’s more than just an example of gender inequality ––it represents lost ideas, missed opportunities and untapped potential.

When half the population is excluded from shaping scientific progress, everyone loses.

But when girls are supported to learn and lead and to examine and explore, communities become stronger, fairer and more resilient.

When possibility becomes progress

Here are some examples of women in STEM and their impact on everyone. Including you:

• Hedy Lamarr: A 1940s Hollywood actress, she developed radio communications that can jump frequencies. She set the foundation for today’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technology.
• Janet Walker: Working on an 8,000-page document, she developed technology to visit specific areas with a click. If you’ve ever bookmarked a page in a web browser, this is the technology behind it.
• Brenda Laurel: She helped transition arcade games to home computers and ultimately home video game systems. Her inclusive approach (girls play video games, too) is still felt in today’s video games.
• Shirley Ann Jackson: Her STEM work appears every time your smartphone rings. Her telecommunications research resulted in caller ID and call waiting.

Throughout history and today, girls are showing what is possible when given the chance. They are becoming researchers and engineers. Programmers and innovators. Scientists and leaders. Analysts and problem-solvers.

Talent and ambition are universal. Opportunity is not.

Together, we can change that.

How to drive change

It doesn’t just have to happen on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. We can all contribute by:

• Promoting positive role models in STEM
• Training educators and teachers to encourage equal participation and opportunities in the classroom
• Developing and supporting inclusive education programs
• Challenging stereotypes in classrooms, workplaces and communities.

• Inspiring girls in Mozambique: Meet Fusia and Julie. They are two adolescent girls who are championing gender equality in their village through the World Vision Canada Every Girl Can project.

Support girls with World Vision Canada

Thanks to child sponsorship, Sneha was able to break barriers for other girls in her hometown of Uttar Pradesh. There are other ways you can help girls realize their STEM dreams:

• Sponsor a girl: Support girls’ education through child sponsorship. Provide access to education and other elements like clean water and health and nutrition to fuel curious minds and growing bodies.
• Provide books for children: An open mind and an open book open limitless possibilities. Thanks to contributions from corporate partners, your gift multiplies 6X in value.
• Donate school supplies: Help girls learn and succeed with school supply basics like backpacks, notebooks, pencils, pens and more.