The United Nation Education Science and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has called for the empowerment of the girl child.

A tweet posted via its official handle @UNESCO reads, “Today is #dayofthegirl! EmPOWER girls to learn, to be what they want, to dream big.

Today is #dayofthegirl! EmPOWER girls to learn, to be what they want, to dream big. Read how #GirlsCrackTheCode https://t.co/acVcobU3wg pic.twitter.com/hVDxAN7UQQ

— UNESCO (@UNESCO) October 11, 2017

#GirlsCrackTheCode is the theme message for the 2017 celebration which is aimed at improving girl-child education as it relates to science, technology, engineering and Mathematics.

In its 2017 report released on October 11, 2017, Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General, stated that Only 17 women have won a Nobel Prize in physics, chemistry or medicine since Marie Curie in 1903, compared to 572 men. Such deep inequality does not happen by chance as too many girls are held back by discrimination, biases, social norms and expectations that influence the quality of education they receive and the subjects they study.

According to her, Cracking the code, the UN program for girls’ and women’s education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics provides a global snapshot of this underrepresentation, the factors behind it and examples of how to improve the interest, engagement and achievement of girls in these fields.

Irina Bokova believes girls and women are the greatest untapped population to become the next generations of STEM professionals. As a result, investment must be made in their talents as it matters to human rights, inclusion and sustainable development.

In 2016, Member States adopted a decision on the role of UNESCO in encouraging girls and women to be leaders in STEM, including arts and design.

December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170  declaring 11 October as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognise girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world.

Editor