Today, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a time to remember the important contribution of women in the development of science. A contribution that has been historically silenced due to the discrimination endured by women in the access to academic and research posts and in the acknowledgement of their achievements (see the Matilda Effect and the campaign “No more Matildas”).

As a result of these obstacles, according to UNESCO only three out of ten researchers worldwide are women. In addition, these researchers usually earn less than their male counterparts due to the wage gap.

The low number of women in science and their lack of visibility in the history of science also has a negative impact on girls. A lack of role models that inspire them to pursue a career in the science field. Official data suggest that only around 30% of female students choose to study a degree related to science, technology, engineering and maths.

At the current juncture, where the COVID-19 has highlighted the essential role of science and research in human survival, it is more urgent than ever to curb the loss of talent entailed by the fact that females can’t access and develop a career in the scientific field in the same terms as men do.

At the International Association of Educating Cities we understand that education is a key element to change this situation. For this reason, we encourage you to send us initiatives developed in your city that aim at reinforcing the presence of women in science and at improving the equality between of men and women in general. Please submit your projects using this link no later than 26 February.

We will share the projects with the ensemble of the network on 8 March, International Women’s Day.