Int’l day marked with focus on women’s contribution to sciences

AMMAN — On International Day of Women and Girls in Science, young Jordanian engineers and scientists illustrate the importance of women’s contribution to scientific innovation.

“Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” according to the UN website.

Celebrated annually on February 11, International Day of Women and Girls in Science was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the UN website added.

“Even in 2022, women are still underrepresented in technology and innovative careers, and this day brings the opportunity to promote their achievements,” Bayan Khaled, a Jordanian computer engineer, told The Jordan Times on Saturday.

She added that most of the time, female voices and achievements are overlooked and undervalued because of social norms, and the roles usually allocated to women.

“I am truly happy to be in a country that respects women’s accomplishments,” noted Khaled, who said that there is still a large disparity between men and women in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“It is usually believed that there is a lower female participation in STEM fields, but the magnitude of this gap has declined,” said computer scientist Celina Varouqa over the phone.

Maha Al Manaseer, a Jordanian biologist, told The Jordan Times that: “What seems to be missing is the empowerment and encouragement of young Jordanian females to choose scientific and technological career paths.”

Women’s contribution in science is needed to succeed in today’s world, she concluded.