The International Day of Women and Girls in Science

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Institutional Communication Service

27 February 2023

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated on 23 February, is implemented by UNESCO and aims to promote full and equal access to science for women and girls. Again this year the Faculty of Informatics of Università della Svizzera italiana brought together students, researchers and professors of the University for a moment of dialogue and exchange on programmes and activities.

On 2015 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution to establish an annual International Day to foster full and equal access and participation of women and girls in science, as well as gender equality and women’s empowerment. In that year the priorities of the global community were being redefined and the sustainable development goals of the Agenda 2030 (involving 193 countries) were drawn up. With Sustainable Development goal 9, countries around the world have pledged to “build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. This day calls for a deeper reflection on investments that target equality in science, in order to proceed full throttle and reach the goal of a successful society, which is also sustainable and inclusive.  

Monica Landoni, Professor of the Faculty of Informatics at USI, proposed again this year an informal meeting between Bachelor's, Master's, PhD students and professors of the Faculty to share a moment of exchange and highlight the importance of their testimony as women active in science: "We discussed what had drawn us to the study of computer science, what obstacles and what encouragement had accompanied us toward the same goal. On this basis, we then planned a support network to share experiences and not feel isolated. Women in computer science, both in the working world and in academia, are a minority, and only through joint efforts can we change the situation and improve the gender balance with benefits for all".

 

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