Every year on February 11, the world celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This day highlights the vital role women play in scientific and technological advancements and encourages greater gender equality in these fields. Despite progress, significant challenges remain. How can we ensure that more women and girls have the opportunity to contribute their talents to science?
The Reason Behind This Global Initiative
Historically, women have faced barriers in accessing education and scientific careers. Although progress has been made, gender disparities persist. The United Nations General Assembly established this day in 2015 to recognise the contributions of women in science and to promote full and equal access to opportunities in STEM fields.
Encouraging more women to pursue careers in science is not just about fairness. Diverse perspectives lead to better research outcomes, more inclusive innovations, and broader societal benefits. Yet, systemic challenges still hold many women back.
What Challenges Do Women and Girls in Science Face?
Women in science encounter hurdles at every stage of their careers. Gender bias, underrepresentation, and unequal pay continue to be significant obstacles. According to UNESCO, only 33.3% of researchers globally are women, and they make up just 35% of all students in STEM-related fields.
Additionally, leadership positions in science remain largely male-dominated. What impact does this have? Fewer female mentors, limited role models, and a higher dropout rate for women in scientific fields.
However, progress is evident in some areas. Women hold an increasing share of STEM roles in 10 out of 11 sectors, with the healthcare sector leading at 41.1%, followed by consumer staples, real estate, and financial services. Only the energy sector saw a decline in 2023, highlighting the need for continued efforts to ensure equal opportunities across all industries.
CrackSense: Expertise, Innovation, and Inclusion
One example of women contributing to scientific progress is the CrackSense project. This initiative brings together experts to tackle fruit-cracking issues in agriculture through high-tech monitoring and predictive systems. Among these experts is Georgia Nikolakopoulou, a Research Associate and Agronomist, who shared her insights in honor of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
What aspects of your job do you love the most?
What motivated you to pursue a career in your field?
"Find a way to help society while being happy at the same time. Keep going!"
In the world of science, what challenges have you encountered as a woman, and how have you overcome them?
If you could give a piece of advice to yourself as a little girl, what would you say to her?
If I could give advice to my younger self, I would say: ‘Find a way to help society while being happy at the same time. Keep going!’
Creating an Inclusive Future
Georgia’s story highlights how passion, dedication, and the support of a collaborative scientific community drive change in agriculture and inspire the next generation of women in science. Encouraging young girls to explore STEM, supporting equal opportunities, and recognising female scientists’ achievements are key steps in fostering progress.
Stay updated on the latest developments and insights from the CrackSense project by following our Newsroom and LinkedIn.