International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026

Every year on 11 February, the world marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrating the achievements of women in STEM while recognising the barriers many have had to overcome.

For generations, women in science have pursued discovery in environments where they were underrepresented, underestimated or, at times, excluded entirely. Yet they persisted and, in doing so, changed the world.

Marie Curie, who became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two scientific fields conducted pioneering research on radioactivity at a time when women were barred from many academic institutions. She faced public scrutiny, professional isolation and significant personal hardship. Yet she continued her work, driven by intellectual curiosity and determination.

Rosalind Franklin’s contribution to understanding the structure of DNA was foundational, yet her work was not fully recognised during her lifetime. She worked in a male-dominated environment where her authority and expertise were often questioned.

At NASA, mathematician Katherine Johnson calculated the trajectories that made space travel possible, while navigating both racial and gender discrimination. She later spoke about simply focusing on the work, even when the environment was not designed for her to succeed.

More recently, Professor Sarah Gilbert, co-developer of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, has spoken openly about the challenges of balancing scientific leadership with family life and the scrutiny that accompanies public-facing science.

Even highly accomplished scientists have admitted to moments of self-doubt. Imposter syndrome is common in academia and STEM professions, particularly among women who may find themselves the only woman in the room.

While women’s participation in science has grown significantly, global figures show that inequality remains.

• Women account for approximately 33 percent of researchers worldwide, according to UNESCO.

• Representation in engineering, physics and computer science remains particularly low in many countries.

• Women are underrepresented in senior STEM leadership roles.

• Research funding disparities continue, with women often receiving smaller grants on average.

These numbers reflect structural challenges.

Encouragingly, enrolment of women in STEM degrees continues to rise, and institutions are increasingly investing in mentorship, inclusive recruitment and leadership development programmes.

Diverse research teams produce stronger, more innovative results. Studies consistently show that inclusive scientific communities generate more impactful research and solve complex problems more effectively.

When girls see women leading laboratories, launching space missions or driving climate research, they see possibility.

More women in science means:

• Broader perspectives in medical research and healthcare

• More inclusive technology design

• Stronger responses to global challenges such as climate change

• Greater economic and societal impact

Science benefits when it reflects society.

For the girls who are unsure

To every girl who loves maths but wonders if she belongs.
To every young woman who questions whether she is “good enough”.
To every student who feels like the only one in the lecture theatre.

Self-doubt means you are stretching into something new.

The women we celebrate today felt uncertainty too. They faced rejection, criticism and systemic barriers. What defines their legacy is not that the journey was smooth, but that they continued.

This International Day of Women and Girls in Science is about acknowledging courage, championing inclusion and accelerating progress.

If you are in science, your visibility matters.
If you lead in education or research, your advocacy matters.
If you are considering a future in STEM, your ambition matters.

Share these stories, encourage the next generation., challenge assumptions and support mentorship.

Because when women and girls thrive in science, discovery accelerates, innovation expands and the future becomes stronger for everyone.