Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s message on International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
Islamabad: On the occasion of the International Day for Women and Girls in Science, we acknowledge the remarkable contributions of women and girls in shaping our world through scientific discovery, innovation, and leadership.
This year’s theme, “Charting Progress to Shape the Future: The Best is Yet to Come”, is a reminder of the strides we have made and the work that lies ahead in building an inclusive, innovative, and equitable future.
Equal participation of men and women in scientific research and technological advancement is essential for economic development and societal well-being. However, women have long been under represented in science and technology. This has created a significant gender gap in these vital fields. According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), women constitute less than 30% of the world’s researchers, and in cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence, the number drops to just 22%.
Recognizing that the future depends on innovation and technological progress, the Government of Pakistan has prioritized programs that focus on skill development, support for women-led start-ups, and greater access to research funding. Initiatives include training in robotics, AI, and digital solutions, scholarships and programs encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship.
For us empowering women and girls in science is a national priority and an all out efforts is being made to create an enabling environment and providing equal opportunities, to ensure that women become key drivers of progress and innovation in the 21st century.
