ONCE UPON A TIME: THE WOMEN WHO BROKE THE SPELL.

Once upon a time, there was a world where women and girls were not allowed to study certain courses like medicine, engineering, physics, and mathematics. People believed that science was a field meant for men, and women were expected to stay away from laboratories, universities, and discoveries. This belief made many assume that women were not as brilliant or capable as men.

But a few girls and women at the time dared to defy the rules. They refused to believe they were any less intelligent. They fought, struggled, and proved the world wrong.

Breaking The Spell: Women Who Paved The Way

Women like Katherine Johnson broke the "spell" and became one of the first Black women to work as a mathematician at NASA. Her calculations were so precise that she helped send astronauts into space and back safely, despite the discrimination she faced.

Marie Maynard Daly became the first Black woman in the United States to earn a PhD in chemistry, making major discoveries about the human heart and high blood pressure.

Dr Wangari Maathai from Kenya defied societal norms to become an environmental scientist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She showed that science could help heal the planet.

Dr Segenet Kelemu, an Ethiopian scientist, became one of the world's leading researcher's in agriculture and plant diseases, helping farmer's in Africa grow healthier crops.

Even young girls like Gitanjali Rao, who at just 15 developed a tool to detect contaminated water, showed that science is for everyone. She became #TIME's first-ever kid of the year, proving that age and gender should never be barriers to innovation.

The Awakening: A New World For Woman And Girls In Science.

In December 2015, the #UnitedNations General Assembly decided that the world needed to remember these struggles and victories. They declared February 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in science to celebrate these pioneers and inspire young girls to dream and pursue those dreams in STEM.

Today women are no longer forbidden from studying science, but challenges remain. Less than 30% or researchers worldwide are women, and many still face discrimination in scientific fields in some parts of the world.

That is why this day is important-it reminds us that science belongs to everyone. It encourages young girls to follow their curiosity, challenge outdated norms, and change the world through innovation.

The "spell" has been broken, but the story is not over. Every girl who dreams of becoming a scientist, engineer, or mathematician is writing the next chapter.

And in this new world, everyone can be a scientist-no matter their gender, race, or background.

#WomenInScience

#GirlsInSTWM

#WomenOfColorInSTEM

#InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience

#BreakingBarriers

#SheInnovates

#FutureSTEMLeaders