Celebrating Women in Science: OWSD Announces Month-Long Event Series

In celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February 2024) and the International Women's Day (8 March 2024), the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) is thrilled to announce a month-long series of activities, both organized by our National Chapters and the OWSD Secretariat. This initiative highlights the importance of promoting gender equality and recognizing the invaluable contributions of women in science globally.

Throughout the month, a diverse array of events will take place, ranging from seminars and conferences to webinars and science fairs. Many of these events have been funded through a call for applications sent out by the OWSD Secretariat at the end of 2023, while others have been autonomously organized by each National Chapter in partnership with local institutions. This collaborative effort underscores the beauty of our network of 54 National Chapters worldwide, each contributing to the advancement of women in science within their respective regions.

From the OWSD Secretariat's side, we are excited to participate in several events organized by partners in Italy. One such event is the an International Conference to celebrate the World Day of Girls and Women in Science jointly organized by the UNESCO Chair on Health Education and Sustainable Development of Federico II of Federico II University and the Network of the Italian UNESCO Chairs (ReCUI). This conference, scheduled for Sunday, February 11, 2024, at 9:00 AM, will take place at the Aula Magna del Centro Congressi Federico II in Napoli, and aims to present for the first time at national level the most relevant and outstanding programs promoted by UNESCO to support girls and women in scientific careers.Renowned Italian female scientists will be in attendance, alongside presentations of emblematic UNESCO programs for gender equality in science. 

Moreover, the OWSD Secretariat will seize this opportunity to engage with our members and potential new partners worldwide. To facilitate this outreach, we have organized a series of four online Science Snack Breaks, during which we will unveil four new short films produced within the OWSD Visions Project. These films spotlight stories of women OWSD members and fellows as protagonists, many of which have been developed in collaboration with OWSD National Chapters. Each film portrays women scientists residing and working in developing countries, showcasing how their contributions have positively impacted their communities' living conditions.

As we celebrate the achievements of women in science, we also extend an invitation to our friends and partners to support OWSD in our mission. By joining forces, we can continue to support the contributions of women scientists worldwide and create a more inclusive and equitable scientific community for all. Together, let us champion the brilliance and resilience of women in STEM, this month and every day.

Below are the details of the upcoming events, which will be continuously updated as more activities are confirmed: