site.btaUPDATED International Day of Women and Girls in Science Marked in Bulgaria

International Day of Women and Girls in Science is celebrated around the globe on February 11. Bulgaria is among the countries where events are organized to mark this day, which is implemented by UNESCO and UN-Women to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls.

In an interview for BTA, the Director of the Nicolaus Copernicus National Astronomical Observatory and Planetarium in Varna (on the Black Sea), Svezhina Dimitrova, commented that women add an artistic element to science, because that is inherent for them. The male and female brains are different: men have a more pragmatic and women, a more artistic outlook. Therefore, every gender has its place in science, and research at various universities prove that mixed teams are more successful. 

Through International Day of Women and Girls in Sciences, UNESCO and the UN strive to motivate young girls to do science, because if people do not make progress in mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering and computer sciences, society would not have developed as it has, Dimitrova argued. In her words, Bulgaria has made more progress in gender equality in science compared to other countries around the world.

Until the end of the 19th century, it was impossible for women to do science, because they were not allowed in universities, Dimitrova told BTA. In that period, female scientists were only some 7%, while at the end of the 20th century they reached 20%. Following the industrial revolution and women’s entry in various areas of society, gender equality in science becomes heard more often, and that applies strongly for the 21st century. During Dimitrova’s classes, she has not noticed any difference in the way girls and boys learn the material. 

For February 11, the observatory in Varna organized a master class for girls on physics of elementary particles. The participating girls had an online visit at CERN and worked with real data from the CMS detector. Additional master classes will be held in March for girls and boys alike, open to pupils from Varna, Ruse, Aytos, Dobrich, Shumen, and Dulovo, Dimitrova said.

On the occasion of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Bulgarian EU Commissioner Iliana Ivanova wrote an article, provided to BTA by the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria. The Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth shares her toughts on the EU’s commitment to support women and girls in taking their rightful place in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

"In the EU, 41% of scientists and engineers are women. However, the picture changes when we look at women as self-employed professionals in science, engineering and information and communication technologies. The figure hovers just above 25%. The conclusion is clear: we still need more women in science," Ivanova writes. "Only if we address the crucial aspects of gender equality, diversity and inclusion can we be sure that research and innovation address challenges concerning us all," she argues.

Ivanova goes on to list concrete actions and measures already taken by the EU to strengthen the gender dimension of research and innovation as well as specifically to support women in STEM. She mentions Horizon Europe, the EU's current research and innovation programme running from 2021 to 2027, schemes such as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions that set high standards for researchers' training and promote equal opportunities in academia and beyond, and the Girls Go Circular programme that since its launch in 2020 has helped more than 32, 000 girls in 23 countries achieve digital and entrepreneurial skills.