Sunday 11th February is the worldwide celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. On this anniversary, the University of Trieste will join the global community in promoting the equal participation of women and girls in scientific fields of study and work. 

Despite the progress of recent years, the gender gap remains, particularly in so-called STEM fields. Globally, women represent only 28% of researchers and 35% of graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. In Italy, the situation is only slightly better, with 33% of researchers being female along with 41% of graduates.

According to Eurostat data, women employed in scientific fields are a minority throughout Europe, at around 41%. In Italy, the figure stands at 34%, with 400,000 female scientists and engineers, almost half that of their male colleagues (760 thousand). 

Another critical element concerns the wage gap, which still persists today. Worldwide, women earn on average 20% less than men employed in STEM fields. In Italy, the gap is 15%. 

However, signs of change can be seen. The number of women pursuing scientific careers is steadily increasing, albeit at different rates depending on the disciplines. In Italy, for example, the pecentage of women among PhDs in computer engineering has risen from 17% in 2000 to 33% in 2020.

The University of Trieste believes that gender equality in science is fundamental for the development of society and the scientific community. It also renews its commitment to take every action possible to promote inclusive environments for all 'women in science' and to raise awareness of how women and girls can contribute to the scientific and technological progress of society.