OWSD National Chapters Worldwide Celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026

Each year on 11 February, the global community comes together to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS), reaffirming the importance of women’s full and equal participation in scientific research and innovation.

In 2026, celebrations are anchored by a high-level global event at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, held under the theme “From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap.” The hybrid UNESCO event convenes Member States, scientists, international organizations, and youth to spotlight concrete solutions, good practices, and the role of emerging technologies in advancing gender equality in STEM. Three OWSD members will be proudly representing OWSD at the event: OWSD President Luisa F. Echeverría-King (Colombia), Early Career alumna Prativa Pandey (Nepal), and current Early Career fellow Hellen Maziku (Tanzania).

At OWSD, we were excited to announce the second edition of our Short Talks, Big Impacts competition, which will take place online throughout February and March with a series of regional competitions and an exciting global finale on March 11.

In parallel, OWSD National Chapters across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Arab region are organizing a vibrant array of locally led activities — from science fairs and policy dialogues to webinars, training programmes, and recognition ceremonies — translating this global vision into action on the ground .

Bolivia

The OWSD Bolivia National Chapter is leading an extensive, multi-city programme of in-person activities to inspire girls and promote women’s visibility in science.

The flagship event, the 4th Scientific Outreach Fair “Women and Girls in Science”, will take place on 6 February 2026 in La Paz, featuring around 50 interactive science stands hosted in partnership with the Municipality of La Paz and the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA).

On 11 February, a Recognition Ceremony at UMSA will award outstanding outreach initiatives and scientific projects by women and girls, alongside a “Voces que Inspiran” (Voices that Inspire) roundtable discussion.

Additional scientific fairs and outreach activities will also be held in Santa Cruz, Sucre, and Cochabamba, extending IDWGS celebrations nationwide. 

Brazil

The OWSD Brazil National Chapter will mark IDWGS 2026 with “Elas na Ciência: Vozes do Brasil (Women in Science: Voices of Brazil),” a series of webinars showcasing Brazilian women scientists.

Held across 9–11 February, the webinars will feature discussions on field research, scientific leadership, and diversity in science, highlighting women’s voices across disciplines and career stages.

Burundi

In Burundi, the OWSD National Chapter, in partnership with the National Commission for UNESCO of Burundi and local universities, will host a panel discussion on 11 February at the Doctoral School of the University of Burundi.

The event aims to inspire young girls, strengthen their confidence in their scientific abilities, and promote equal opportunities in STEM careers, emphasizing science’s role in sustainable development and innovation.

Colombia

The OWSD Colombia National Chapter will host a hybrid event on 11 February 2026 at the Universidad de la Costa in Barranquilla, titled: “Challenges faced by women scientists in contexts of uncertainty: academic careers, recognition, and sustainability of female talent.”

The event will foster open dialogue on structural challenges affecting women scientists across disciplines and regions, welcoming both in-person and online participants.

Cuba

The OWSD Cuba National Chapter will celebrate IDWGS on 11 February 2026 at the University of Havana with an event focused on building more inclusive STEM ecosystems.

The programme will highlight the contributions of Cuban women scientists and feature girls who have excelled in international science competitions and robotics, fostering intergenerational exchange and inspiration.

Egypt (Arab region)

On 9 February 2026, the OWSD Egypt National Chapter will host a regional celebration for the Arab region at the National Research Centre, combining scientific lectures with a cross-regional recognition ceremony.

The event will address challenges faced by women in science while honoring one woman and one girl from each participating National Chapter across Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, Sudan, Palestine, and Yemen — highlighting solidarity and excellence within the Arab scientific community.

Guatemala

The OWSD Guatemala National Chapter will organize two complementary initiatives:

• A Science Club session for children aged 5–11 on 18 February, featuring the talk “From the Invisible World to the Visible World,” delivered by biologist and chemist Lucía Nicté Loy Rodríguez, in collaboration with the Scouts of Guatemala.
• The 6th National Contest for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, themed Affordable and Clean Energy, encouraging creative scientific perspectives through drawings and videos by young participants. The call opens on 11 February and closes on 31 May 2026, with awards presented in July.

Kenya

The OWSD Kenya National Chapter, in partnership with the Africa Center for Technology Studies (ACTS), will convene a full-day workshop on 11 February 2026 at Konza Technopolis.

Aligned with the global IDWGS theme, the event will spotlight women’s leadership in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, and explore actionable pathways to strengthen Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) in STEM institutions.

Nepal

The OWSD Nepal National Chapter will host multiple research-focused activities in February 2026.

A keynote session on 14 February at the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology will feature Prof. Dr. Pushpa Raj Kandel, former Vice Chair of the National Planning Commission, discussing the role of research in policy development and engaging with women scientists.

Additional events at Padma Kanya Multiple Campus will focus on proposal writing, digital research tools, and scientific networking, organized in collaboration with national and international partners.

Pakistan

The OWSD Pakistan National Chapter, in collaboration with Salim Habib University, will host the event “From Vision to Venture: A Strategic Roadmap for Women’s Empowerment in STEAM” on 10 February 2026.

The event will focus on strengthening pathways from scientific training to leadership and entrepreneurship for women in STEAM fields.

Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, the OWSD National Chapter will launch the Women’s Green Entrepreneurship Program (WGEP) on 11 February 2026 at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.

The programme combines a one-day knowledge-sharing event with a year-long follow-up initiative, empowering women from low-income communities to develop climate-resilient, environmentally sustainable enterprises, while strengthening community resilience to climate change.

Uganda

The OWSD Uganda National Chapter, in partnership with Uganda Martyrs University, will host a virtual IDWGS celebration on 18 February 2026.

The event will bring together leaders from academia, government, UNESCO, and OWSD to reflect on progress achieved, remaining gaps, and future actions needed to close the gender gap in STEM.

Zambia (Southern Africa Region)

The OWSD Zambia National Chapter, together with chapters from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Botswana, and Tanzania, will host a regional webinar on 13 February 2026.

The event will explore how leadership, collaboration, and intentional action can accelerate gender equity in STEM across Southern Africa and beyond. The webinar will feature a keynote address by OWSD President Luisa Echeberria-King. This event emerges from conversations and relationships formed during the 7th OWSD General Assembly and International Conference in Bogotá, Colombia in November 2025.

From Global Vision to Local Impact

From UNESCO Headquarters in Paris to classrooms, universities, research institutes, and virtual spaces worldwide, OWSD National Chapters are translating global commitments into locally meaningful action. Together, these celebrations highlight the power of women in science — and the importance of building STEM ecosystems where women and girls can thrive.