February 11 - International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Inrecent years, the world community has made great strides toward gender equality in science and technology. The UN General Assembly Resolution on Science, Technology and Innovation for Development, adopted in December 2013, recognizes women's full and equal access to science, technology and innovation.  An additional resolution adopted in December 2015 declared an International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated annually on February 11. Through it’s resolutions, the UN General Assembly recognizes the crucial role of women in scientific and technological development and calls on all countries and international organizations to draw additional attention to the participation of women in science and scientific research.

Girls are the mirror of society. The more we can create conditions for girls to live safely, to be educated and professionally trained and to protect their health, the stronger the women we will have in the future. In every society, the issues of girls require special attention. Migration, early marriages, violence, school exclusion - all of these have a negative impact on the development of girls. Therefore, the activities of the “Rosa Otunbayeva Initiative” IPF pay special attention to achieving full and equal access of women and girls to science as well as to ensuring gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. Projects "Ustat" and "Empowering and increasing the role of women in STEM" were implemented, STEM schools for high school girls and teachers were organized, and the book "Women in Science" was published. In 2020, the “Rosa Otunbayeva Initiative International Public Foundation started its work within the UNICEF project “Ilimdegikyz” (Girls in Science) in partnership with the AUCA Innovation College and the Child Protection Center Public Association.

Congratulations to all of our beautiful women and girls on this wonderful holiday!

Women invent and create, conduct scientific research, work hard, and combine a deep commitment to their professionwith talent and incredible tenacity to achieve outstanding success in areas traditionally dominated by men. Women make our world more perfect and beautiful!

We wish all women scientists as well as all girls who are just taking their first steps in science or thinking about their choice success on the thorny path of real science. We are sure that you can do a lot!