February 11, 2023
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated to acknowledge the achievements of women in science and to encourage greater gender equality in scientific fields. Throughout history, women have made a lot of important contributions to the field of science, despite many barriers and biases.
Nevertheless, women continue to be underrepresented in many areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and they often earn less and have fewer opportunities for advancement than their male counterparts. This gap between men and women still exists in both developed and developing countries. This shows how important it is for women to have better access to education and training, as well as work environments that encourage and make it possible for them to pursue careers in science.
Governments have a crucial role to play in promoting gender equality in science. This can be done by investing in education and training programmes for girls and women in STEM fields, as well as providing support for research and development in these areas. Additionally, policies that promote work-life balance, such as flexible work arrangements and parental leave, can help women continue their careers in science while also fulfilling their family responsibilities. Although progress and initiatives has been made, there is still much work to be done. By working together, we can make the scientific community more open and fairer, where everyone's contributions are recognised and valued, no matter what gender they are.
At European Vaccine Initiative (EVI), a diverse and international group of female scientists dedicate their lives to supporting the development of safe and effective vaccines. With a clear focus on equity, EVI's mission is to ensure everyone can access life-saving vaccines and that no one is left behind in the global effort to make the world a healthier place.
To honour women and girls in science, some of our colleagues shared their thoughts on who and what inspired them to pursue careers in science:
My career as a scientist has been tremendously shaped by outstanding female professionals that empowered me to dream on becoming a scientist, and inspired and supported my interest in vaccine development.- Irene Nailain Nkumamav, Malaria programme Manager
Throughout my academic and professional career, I met and learned from many amazing women in science. However my mother, who constantly encouraged me to question and explore the world, is my greatest female role model. Science is always about knowledge, experiments, creativity, and invention, and now I am part of a science-driven organisation leading innovative solutions for vaccine R&D and fulfilling my school dream of ensuring brighter living for people worldwide.- Aicha Sayeh, Project Manager
At EVI we are committed to creating an inclusive work environment and to empowering our diverse workforce to use their unique skills, ideas, and perspectives in the service of global health. This sense of empowerment, combined with their commitment to equity and inclusivity, makes EVI an attractive place for female scientists to pursue their passion and have an impact on global health.
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