The International Day for Women and Girls in Science provides a platform to recognise the important role that women and girls play in addressing the major challenges of our time, through their active contributions in the fields of science and technology (STEM).
Celebrated on the 11th of February, the day is an important opportunity to promote full and equal access and to strengthen participation in science for women, girls and other underrepresented groups.
Minister for Research, Innovation and the Co-ordination of Post-Covid-19 Strategy Owen Bonnici and Parliamentary Secretary for Civil Rights and Reforms Rosianne Cutajar visited Esplora in light of the International Day for Women and Girls in Science. During the visit, they followed the valuable work done inside Esplora and spoke to several workers, where they stressed the need for more women to work in the science sector.
Minister Bonnici stated that it is crucial that more girls and women come forward to the field of sciences so that our country continues to have a strong economy that is based on research and innovation. He said that there are many local and international examples of women who have created innovations that have made a difference in human life, and it is important that our country is at the forefront in leading this sector.
He said that the government will be strengthening the excellent work that is being done to bring more women to the field of science, not only from the school-bench, but also when it comes to work, because this is a sector which gives good and qualitative careers, through which changes are made for the benefit of society in general.
Parliamentary Secretary for Civil Rights and Reforms Rosianne Cutajar spoke about the need to overcome stereotypes that keep women from meeting their aspirations. She talked about how society’s expectations condition girls from an early age and discourage them from pursuing careers in science.
The Parliamentary Secretary stressed the need to devote more energy and focus to STEM education by providing teacher training, creating safe and inclusive STEM learning environments, and promoting the uptake of these topics among female students, as well as improving mentoring programs, internships and career counselling to ensure a fair and equal orientation of female students on STEM studies and careers.
