Today,聽only one in three science and engineering researchers in the world is a woman.

Structural and societal聽barriers聽prevent women and girls from entering and聽advancing聽in聽science.聽

The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased gender inequalities, from school closures to a rise in violence and a greater burden of care in the home.

This inequality is depriving our world of enormous untapped talent and innovation. We need women鈥檚 perspectives to make sure science and technology work for everyone.聽

We can 鈥� and must 鈥� take action. 聽

With policies that fill classrooms with girls studying technology, physics, engineering, math.

With聽targeted measures to ensure opportunities for women聽to grow聽and聽lead at laboratories, research institutions and universities.

With determination to end discrimination and stereotypes about women in science.

And with more rigorous efforts to expand opportunities for women members of minority communities.

All of this is especially important in the聽crucial聽field of artificial intelligence.聽

There is a direct connection between low levels of women working in AI, and absurd gender biasedalgorithms聽that treat men as standard and women as an exception.聽

We need more women developing artificial intelligence that serves everyone and works for gender equality.

We also need to reverse trends that keep young women scientists from pursuing careers that help us address the climate and environmental crises.聽

I taught engineering. I know from personal experience that young聽women聽and men are equally capable and equally fascinated by science, brimming with ideas, and ready to carry our world forward.

We must聽ensure that they聽have聽access to the same learning and work opportunities on a level playing field.聽

On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I call on everyone to create an environment where聽women聽can realize their true potential and today鈥檚聽girls聽become tomorrow鈥檚 leading scientists and innovators,聽shaping聽a聽fair and sustainable聽future for all.