From Dream to Reality: The Evolution of #February11 into a Global Movement

International Days are designed to celebrate the successes of humanity’s triumphs, honor past struggles and tragedies, or educate the public on the importance of a particular issue or moment. However, #February11 takes these goals one step further, focusing on the most important objective of all, to bring everyone forward.

The seed of starting an International Day of Women and Girls in Science was first planted at the High-Level World Women’s Health and Development Forum, held between February 10-11 in 2015. As distinguished guests, government ministers, academic professionals, UN officials poured into the room, they widely shared something in common. Most in attendance were women in science.?

After the Outcome Document was approved by acclamation that day, HRH Dr. Nisreen El-Hashemite did not let those call to action points sit on a shelf. Known worldwide as the “Science Princess,” Princess Nisreen wrote a letter on behalf of those in attendance at the Women's Health and Development Forum to H.E. Mr. Sam Kutesa, the President of the 69th General Assembly in April of that year, requesting that he take a swift course of action to motion for the UN Observance of an International Day for Women and Girls in Science.

RASIT’s partnership with the Government of the Republic of Malta was critical in facilitating the consultations with Member States to draft the resolution that would breathe #February11 into existence. Most UN Observances are proposed by Member States that the General Assembly then adopts them with a resolution. This makes RASIT the first NGO to create a UN International Day. RASIT not only advances the roles of women and girls in science, but also the participation of civil society at the UN, a feat within itself.

A few consultations, dozens of hours spent perfecting the draft resolution, and 65 co-sponsoring countries later, the dream became reality on December 22, 2015, when the 70th Session of the General Assembly resolution 70/212 at 4pm EST, proclaimed #February11 the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

To say Princess Nisreen was elated is an understatement. She recalls cheering and announcing “from dream to reality” in the General Assembly hall. This achievement is not only an achievement of RASIT’s successful lobbying and collaboration with Member States, #February11 is an achievement for all women and girls across the globe. Declaring this day is an investment towards recognizing the achievements of past women, honoring both well-known scientists and those who are lesser known or whose voices have been denied in journals and jobs. Recognition is the first step towards achieving gender equity.

“Every February 11 we celebrate the achievements of women, known and unknown, remembered and forgotten, who have forged the way for those of us in science today, and to give an opportunity for children: girls and boys, to choose role models in science.” - HRH Princess Nisreen El-Hashemite

This year marks the 8th International Day for Women and Girls in Science, which has now grown into something much more than just a commemorative day, it is a global movement.

Since the adoption of #February11, Princess Nisreen launched the first international platform designed to represent young girls’ voices in both print and live at the UN. Since their inception in 2018, GirlsinScience4SDGs has amplified the voices of 1500 girls, either through financial scholarships or opportunities to moderate panels at past IDWGIS Assemblies and to become published in #February11: Women & Girls in Science for Socio-Economic Sustainable Development Book.?

This includes young girls, such as Rebecca Jekogian, who was 12-years old when she addressed the 1st International Day for Women and Girls in Science.

“The real solutions for the world’s problems like global warming will be invented by girls like me. Girls have a lot to share that adults do not think about, so when we talk, listen.” A simple request made by Rebecca that would have worldwide repercussions if we all followed her advice. The power of actively listening to young women and girls cannot be overstated.

Join us on #February11 and listen to the legacies that have shaped us, the scientific achievements that women and girls gave us, and the connections that make us.