– As delivered –
Statement by H.E. Tijjani Muhammad Bande, President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
12 February 2020
Your royal highness,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Young delegates,
I am delighted to be here with you to celebrate women and girls in science. It is only right that women and girls have full and equal access to, and participation in, science, technology and innovation. This is also necessary if our societies are to prosper.
The fact is that we need more women and girls in science: in the classrooms, in the laboratories, and at leadership levels.
Five years ago, Member States broke new ground when they adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This was a great achievement of multilateralism.
Within the framework for development, gender equality is both a cross-cutting and a stand-alone goal. We know that we are lagging behind in the implementation of Agenda 2030. I am encouraged by the intensified implementation efforts upon entering the Decade of Action and Delivery.
However, we must do more. If we are to be successful in the implementation of Agenda 2030, we must make sure that girls have access to quality education and have all of the social support they need to enable them to pursue their dreams. This involves respect for women and their human rights, and empowerment. Gender equality means equality of opportunity.
Your highness, excellencies, distinguished delegates,
We must harness the skills of everyone, everywhere. None of us benefits from excluding the resources, capacities and competencies of women. We cannot afford to leave half of our population behind.
Every field of work and study benefits from diversity.
Different points of view create an innovative environment which is conducive to problem-solving. This is essential for scientific discovery.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today only 35% of students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are women. It is, therefore, not surprising that only 30% of researchers are women. Let’s work together to rectify this imbalance and ensure that the best and brightest take their rightful place in science, regardless of their gender.
This begins with education. We need to take all steps to ensure the universal education of girls for a minimum of twelve years. We must integrate ICT into education and invest in digital empowerment programmes to eliminate the digital divide between boys and girls, as well as, between the rich and poor.
Curricula should promote human rights and gender equality, and address injustices.
In a recent survey, 124 States reported initiatives to eliminate bias and make curricula gender-responsive.
Of these, 99 took steps to increase the number of women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. I encourage all Member States to emulate these initiatives.
There is, however, more to do. Initiatives to combat gender stereotypes and job segregation are essential to ensuring gender parity in science, businesses and the job market.
Today only 35% of students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are women. It is, therefore, not surprising that only 30% of researchers are women. Let’s work together to rectify this imbalance and ensure that the best and brightest take their rightful place in science, regardless of their gender.
I call on all governments, the private sector, and academia, to step up efforts to ensure that women and girls have the same opportunities as their male counterparts, empowering them to reach their full potential in the field of STEM.
To the ‘Girls in Science’ here today, and around the world, I say: You are the future Nobel Laureates. You will take your due place in finding innovative solutions which will help us implement the SDGs.
You will be our role models.
The United Nations and many other organisations, bodies and individuals are with you. We cannot create a better world without you.
Keep up the good work!
I thank you.
