Both science and gender equality are vital for the realisation of the UN’s internationally agreed Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

This year – the seventh International Day of Women and Girls in Science – the focus is on accelerating progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6, Clean Water and Sanitation, and how women and girls in science can be agents of change.

Although the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science, they continue to be excluded from participating fully.

In November 2021, the UN climate change conference COP26 brought the world together to seek solutions to the climate challenges we face. As the principal banking partner, we were there to show the role the finance industry has to play in tackling those challenges.

We also know that up to £250bn of new value could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled new businesses at the same rate as UK men. 

The Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship, or Rose Review, first published in March 2019, suggested eight initiatives that the private sector (and parts of the public sector) could take forward. Among these were the expansion of mentoring and networking opportunities. 

Research by WISE – the campaign for gender balance in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) – shows that girls now regularly outperform boys in STEM subjects at GCSE and A-level. WISE CEO Kay Hussain wants to see that continue and translate into greater equality across the STEM workforce. 

“It’s vital we reinforce positive messages to show girls and their families that studying STEM subjects open doors to exciting, well-paid jobs that have a real impact on our world,” she says. 

“Meeting successful female role models at an early age would open their eyes. Employers, colleges and universities can help via enhanced outreach programmes to raise awareness, inspire, and build understanding of how STEM subjects pave the way into future careers.”

By working together, employers can create better solutions and accelerate progress. Your action on International Day of Women and Girls in Science could help to make equality in science happen.