OWSD marks the 2025 International Day of Women and Girls in Science with a global wave of celebrations

February 11, 2025

In classrooms, laboratories, conference halls, and virtual meeting rooms around the world, excitement is building for the 2025 International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS). From Bangladesh to Cameroon, Colombia to Honduras, and many more countries in between, OWSD members are preparing to showcase achievements that reflect the energy, creativity, and determination of women in STEM. Whether it’s forging new research collaborations, recognizing top-performing students, or broadening the public’s understanding of scientific innovation, this year’s events promise to make an impact felt far beyond national borders.

The momentum is matched—and amplified—by the OWSD Secretariat, which is unveiling a brand-new, live competition that places the spotlight on emerging and experienced women scientists. Titled “Short Talks, Big Impacts,” this event will invite participants to present how their research is tackling local and global challenges in a concise and engaging 3-minute format. While much of the emphasis is on clarity, creativity, and connecting with a wide audience, the real aim is to shine a light on the diversity of research undertaken by OWSD members—and to underscore why such work matters so deeply to communities worldwide.

“Over the years, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science has proven to be a powerful rallying point,” notes Tonya Blowers, OWSD Coordinator, who will be attending a high-profile conference in Naples, Italy, organized by Professor Annamaria Colao (UNESCO Chair in Education for Health and Sustainable Development at the Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II). “We see schoolgirls learning from established scientists, entrepreneurs discovering new technologies for their businesses, and policymakers recognizing the critical perspectives women bring to STEM. This year, our National Chapters are again leading the way, championing collaboration, equity, and a vision of science that’s accessible and transformative for everyone.”

That inclusive vision will be felt strongly at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris as well, where Sahil Ullah Zabeeh, Secretariat staff member, will represent OWSD during an all-day event celebrating the theme “Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science.”  Lily Paemka, a 2020 OWSD Early Career Fellow, is also slated to moderate the first roundtable of the day—an exciting opportunity to shape discussions on how to break down barriers and inspire the next generation of women scientists.

From practical seminars in Bangladesh aimed at identifying and tackling research problems in agriculture, social science, and medical fields, to the awarding of promising female high school students in Cameroon, to the sharing of success stories in Colombia—there is a sense that 2025 marks a turning point. “Increasingly, we’re seeing women’s research and leadership recognized, not just as an issue of representation, but as indispensable for solving global challenges,” says Dr. Blowers. Indeed, events in Cuba, Kenya, Sri Lanka, and Honduras echo this sentiment, focusing on sustainability, entrepreneurship, and networking as key drivers in uplifting women and girls in STEM.

A Global Roundup of OWSD Activities

Below is a snapshot of what’s on the calendar for the 2025 International Day of Women and Girls in Science:

Bangladesh

• Seminar on the Role of Women in Science and Technology
  Date: 11 February (in person)
  Emphasizing knowledge exchange across agriculture, social science, engineering, food technology, and medicine, this seminar aims to help researchers identify key challenges and solutions in multidisciplinary scientific fields. It also seeks to strengthen connections among scientists from universities, research institutes, and NGOs.

Cameroon

• Celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11F)
  Date: 11 February (in person)
  Young high school girls with innovative STEM projects linked to sustainable development goals will be recognized. OWSD members are serving as role models, continuing a successful, previously funded initiative involving seven high schools.

Colombia

• Celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11F)
  Date: 11 February (hybrid)
  Marking the tenth anniversary of UNESCO’s declaration of 11 February, this event will feature inspiring stories of women scientists and their day-to-day achievements. Sessions will be held both in person at Universidad Ean (Bogotá) and streamed online via Zoom and YouTube.

Cuba

• Día Internacional de las Mujeres y las Niñas en las Ciencias
  Date: 11 February (in person)
  In the midst of an economic crisis, Cuba reaffirms its commitment to inclusivity, highlighting past achievements in women’s participation in STEM while staying vigilant about the risk of setbacks.

Kenya

• International Day of Women and Girls in Science
  Date: 11 February (in person, Laikipia University, Nakuru County)
  With the theme “Women’s Leadership in Science and Its Role in Sustainability,” the Kenyan event promotes capacity-building, networking, and the positive impact of women’s leadership in STEM for sustainable development.

Sri Lanka

• Wellbeing and Empowering Women Entrepreneurs with Science, Engineering, and Technology
  Date: 21 February
  Organized by OWSD Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Department of Entrepreneurship at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, this session focuses on ways to integrate technology into businesses, empowering women entrepreneurs to generate lasting societal impact.

Honduras

• III Simposio Nacional de Mujeres en Ciencia & Desayuno Global de Mujeres IUPAC (GWB2025)
  Date: 11 February (hybrid), Auditorio Dr. Jesús Aguilar Paz (UNAH)
  The event will explore the intersections of STEAM, featuring keynote talks, a roundtable on gender equity, a scientific poster exhibition, and laboratory tours for select students. It will be streamed live on Facebook.

Through these diverse national and international activities—along with the launch of “Short Talks, Big Impacts”—OWSD is sending a clear message: women and girls belong in every branch of science, and their voices, expertise, and leadership are indispensable to shaping a sustainable future. Further details on how to participate in the live competition will be announced soon. Stay connected via the OWSD website and social media for updates on registration, schedules, and more.