For Immediate Release
Contact:
Amy Neale
202-588-8175
neale@awis.org
Worldwide, women make up just 28.4% of researchers engaged in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) enterprise. To recognize and reiterate the critical role women and girls play, the United Nations Member States adopted a resolution to establish an annual International Day.
AWIS supported the global initiative with a letter to the United Nations noting: “Such a public proclamation would elevate the issues of advancing girls’ and women’s education and leadership in all scientific and technical fields, in addition to deepening public understanding of how science could provide insight into innovative solutions needed to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
Dr. Ann Lee-Karlon, AWIS President, will be joining the High-Level Forum commemorating the very first observance of the day: Thursday, 11 February 2016. Organized by the Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT), the day will feature remarks by the Secretary-General of the United Nations H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon and Ms. Lakshmi Puri, assistant-secretary-general and deputy executive director, UN Women.
#dayofwomeninscience
www.womeninscienceday.org