SUMMARY

A significant gender gap has persisted throughout the year and at all levels in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) worldwide. Although women have made significant progress towards increasing their participation in higher education, they are still under-represented in these areas.

In the framework of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Embassies of France, Germany and Italy joined their forces to organize, in collaboration with the George Washington University and the Children's National Research Institute, the "Week for Women and Girls in Science," promoting equal access for women to science, raising awareness on the topic and looking at equal study and career opportunities in the field of science.

The closing reception of the week was held, on February 9, at the Residence of France, in presence of Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms. Aurelie Bonal, with a panel discussion entitled "Science, not Silence: Women in Science and Society" moderated by Zolan Kanno-Youngs, journalist at the New York Times and featuring Dr. Aurelie Jean, CEO of Insilico Veritas and Prachi Vakharia, Founder of Womanium, in front of an audience composed of members of the Women in Science and Diplomacy Club in DC (WiSDC), members of the science and technology offices, scientists from different diasporas here in DC, US guests.