EU Statement – 9th International Day of Women and Girls in Science

(check against delivery)

Excellencies, dear colleagues,

Thank you very much to the co-organisers for bringing us together to mark this important day. The EU is honoured to be co-sponsoring the event this year and I am very happy to address you today, in addition to the message delivered by the EU Commissioner Dalli.

Women have always played an essential role in driving innovation and progress in science and technology. This was demonstrated most recently by their role in the development of novel mRNA vaccines against COVID-19. Still, a lot of those accomplishments often remain unrecognized and women and girls continue to be underrepresented in science.

Yet, science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and for peace and security in particular. This is why the EU is committed to harnessing the power of science for the collective good and advancing the agenda of peace and sustainable development worldwide. 

Science can help us build links between societies and countries that do not otherwise entertain official relations. Even during the Cold War, scientists kept working together across each side of the iron curtain, beyond political or religious considerations.

This is because scientific cooperation taps into the most basic interest of scientists and engineers, namely, the desire to create new knowledge and technologies. Science is fundamentally an interactive, cooperative pursuit. The common language of science allows us to more easily cross cultures and borders. Science allows us to invent systems that place people at the centre of our objectives. And the scientific attitude to life can also be a very powerful tool for peacebuilding.

It can be argued that science is behind all the great including tools that have a dual use. Drones, for example, can save lives in mountain rescues but they can also kill people from a distance. Humans are responsible for the use of the technology. Science has given us very powerful tools to build peace, it is up to us to use them accordingly.

Science, unlike politics, is a unifying force. But the full potential of science diplomacy can only be deployed if it is inclusive, therefore only if women can meaningfully participate, including in leadership positions.

While more and more women are reaching senior levels in science and engineering, the aspiration of reaching gender equality is not yet fulfilled. Without increasing the share of women in scientific leadership positions, we will not reach those aspirational results of science for peace. Women should be able to fully participate in decision-making around science, including in the conceptualization, development and implementation of new technologies.

To achieve this objective, we need to collectively address the negative social norms, gender stereotypes and systemic barriers to girls’ education, and women’s lifelong learning opportunities, in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Education is a catalyst for getting women into science.

But women’s participation in science for peace is not just about achieving equality for women and girls interested in science. It can, and will, also lead to more diverse ideas and ways of shaping future international security. It is only when including women in all their diversity, women of all backgrounds, who each have specific knowledge and experiences to bring to the table, that we can help advance science as a positive force.

Dear colleagues,

By promoting the use of science for sustainable development and peace, we aim to create a more equitable and prosperous world. It serves as a reminder of the transformative impact of science in shaping a brighter future for all. 

We know female role models are an important way to promote gender equality among senior scientists. This is why an event like this one is so important: because it puts incredible women in the spotlight, and can serve as an inspiration for girls to embrace a scientific career, for peace and development.

We, as a global community, should keep up our efforts in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science.

I thank you.