orchidadmin |
Days and Festival |
2024-08-09 |
null mins read
Why do we need International Day of Women and Girls in Science you might ask? Male chauvinism, dominance, patriarchy, sexism—just to name a few forms of inequalities women face today. So it will not be an overstatement to say that every woman has firsthand experience in some type of injustice directed at them. Third-world countries are the worst when it comes to women’s rights. Not only are women in science prevented from pursuing their dreams and ambitions by going to colleges, but they are also forced into marriages they don’t want, to have children they don’t need, and then economically ostracised, made to depend on their partners.
But what are women, if not queens of fortitude? Thousands of women beat seemingly impossible, and undoubtedly improbable, odds and achieve great things. In the tumultuous competition among men, some women fought and made their voices heard. With sheer grit, hard work, and perseverance, they have reached monumental heights that most men can only fantasize about. Before learning about their contribution to science, let’s first know how the International Day of Women and Girls in Science came about.
It was the United Nations General Assembly’s 70th session. In this gathering, the famous ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ was passed, which is a list of 17 interlinked global goals that serve to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.” The theme of that year’s session was “A new commitment to action.” True to their theme and a new goal, on December 22nd of 2015, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution named A/RES/70/212. UNESCO and UN women implemented the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, and it was declared to be celebrated on February 11th every year. Institutions around the globe and civil society partners collaborate and strive to obtain unbiased opportunities for women in science.
However, the participation of women in STEM fields is not equal to that of men. Only around 30 per cent of researchers in the world are women. In engineering-related areas, their enrollment is just 8%, and in maths, it is a bleak 5%.
But this data is still better than the last century where women had to fight even more challenging odds. Let’s look at some of these warriors of the bygone era.
There is no way I can start off this fantastic list for International Day of Women and Girls in Science without the mother of radioactivity herself. And no, I was not exaggerating when I said the ‘mother’ of radioactivity. She coined the term, after all. Born as Marie Sklodowska to poor parents in Poland, she obtained her rhyming surname after marrying Pierre Curie. With her attitude of never giving up in the field of chemistry, this researcher discovered Polonium and Radium. This paved the way for the discovery of many pieces of equipment that are used for diagnosing and treating cancer. A fighter till the end, she was known for working even when she was dying of radiation. The same radiation she discovered to the betterment of humanity. A classic example of a scientific martyr.
Known for working in the infamous Manhattan Project, this Chinese-born experimental physicist’s colossal contributions actually lies in the disproving of the ‘principle of conservation of parity.’ Even though she led the team of this project, only her male colleagues went on to win Nobel Prizes while she was unrecognized. However, we will always remember her as ‘First Lady of Physics.’
An ardent lover of everything space, she finished her early education at Cambridge University. But sadly, in the 1920s, it didn’t matter if a girl completed her course or not. Either way, they weren’t granted a degree. However, with a passion for exploring the never-ending universe, she travelled to the US and became the first person to earn a doctorate in Astronomy from Harvard. In the same university, she became the first woman to head the Department of Astronomy. Her curiosity about the stars and her eventual pursuit did not go in vain. Because she finally discovered what stars are made of and shared the secret with the world.
Unlike the previous entries, Katie’s contribution to science is still ongoing. She did what was thought to be impossible—photographing the all-powerful but incredibly elusive blackhole. I mean, how do you even take a picture of something that doesn’t even let light escape its gravity. The light that cameras use to photograph something. If you’ve discovered an answer to this paradox, then you are two years too late because Katie already beat you to it.
One blog isn’t going to cover all the women in STEM fields who contributed or still contribute aplenty to science. Even ten encyclopedia-sized books aren’t going to be enough. While it is important to learn about all of them, there are other women in different fields who achieved tremendous things in the world, too.
The author of Pride and Prejudice was a tragic one. Though she is one of the most influential figures in the literary world, she never got credit for her works when she lived, publishing her books anonymously. But now, the whole world knows and rightly celebrates her ingenuity.
Describing her contribution as ‘God’s work,’ she dedicated her life to the betterhood of poor people. She also started the ‘Missionaries of Charity,’ which receives contributions across the world, who still carries on the mantle Mother Teresa lit and helps the poor.
At the age of 14, this girl won the Nobel Peace Prize and became the youngest ever to have been awarded such an honour. She fought for women’s education. That doesn’t give you enough reason to believe she deserves a Nobel Prize? Well, she also fought for women’s education against the Taliban because she had firsthand experience living under their rule.
It is clear that women and girls are not just going to help change the world but be the reason for it. Some women dedicate their lives, some literally give their lives, for science and the betterment of humanity. To try and prevent their passion and extinguish the fire inside them is nothing short of an exercise in futility. They have proven time and again that they are in no way less to men. So it is our duty as the posterity of yesterday and the history of tomorrow to fight for their right to education and involvement in science. Let’s make sure every day becomes an International Day of Women and Girls in Science in our world.
Comments(0)
Admissions Open for 2025-26
Academics
Arts
Astronomy
Badminton
Basketball
CBSE Board
Chess
Child Learning
Children's Literature
Civics
Coding
Creativity
Cricket
Cycling
Dance
Days and Festival
English
Entertainment
Environmental Awareness
Famous Personalities
Featured Blogs
Football
Full Form
Geography
Health and Nutrition
Hindi
Hockey
Horticulture
Maths
Music
Parents Corner
Public Speaking
QnA
Recommended
Robotics
Science
Scientist and Their Inventions
Social Skills
Sports
Swimming
Taekwondo
Teacher's Corner
Theatre
How To Celebrate Diwali
Navratri Colours 2024 and Their Significance
Navratri 2024: Why Is Navratri Celebrated?
Navratri 2024: Know All About Navratri Festival
Who Started Ganpati Festival?
Why Do We Celebrate Diwali?
Gift For Teachers Day - Appreciation For Teachers Is The Biggest Gift For Teachers’ Day
Celebrating Teachers’ Day: The Impact of Educators on Student Lives
Why Is Janmashtami Celebrated in India?
Krishna Janmashtami 2024: Dates, History and Significance.
CBSE Schools In Popular Cities
CBSE Schools in Bangalore
CBSE Schools in Mumbai
CBSE Schools in Pune
CBSE Schools in Hyderabad
CBSE Schools in Chennai
CBSE Schools in Gurgaon
CBSE Schools in Kolkata
CBSE Schools in Indore
CBSE Schools in Sonipat
CBSE Schools in Delhi
CBSE Schools in Rohtak
CBSE Schools in Bhopal
CBSE Schools in Aurangabad
CBSE Schools in Jabalpur
CBSE Schools in Jaipur
CBSE Schools in Jodhpur
CBSE Schools in Nagpur
CBSE Schools in Ahmednagar
CBSE School In Tumkur
Speak Your Mind
Save my name, email and website in this browser for next time I comment