Title: Expressing the sense of Congress that February 11, 2021, be observed as the 6th annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
This resolution recognizes (1) the significance of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science; (2) the importance of having greater representation of women in science fields; and (3) the past, present, and future groundbreaking contributions of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 112 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 112

Expressing the sense of Congress that February 11, 2021, be observed as 
    the 6th annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 11, 2021

 Ms. Adams (for herself, Ms. Houlahan, and Ms. Stevens) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Science, 
                         Space, and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of Congress that February 11, 2021, be observed as 
    the 6th annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Whereas the International Day of Women and Girls in Science was established in 
        2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and formalized as February 
        11 each year;
Whereas the annual recognition of International Day of Women and Girls in 
        Science on February 11 allows us to honor women's significant 
        achievements in scientific fields;
Whereas the International Day of Women and Girls in Science places a much-needed 
        focus on women and girls currently studying and working in Science, 
        Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers;
Whereas, in 2019, just 30 percent of researchers worldwide were women, and only 
        35 percent of all students enrolled in STEM-related studies are women;
Whereas, in the United States, women earned less than half of degrees in most 
        STEM fields (46.3 percent associate's, 49.4 percent bachelor's, 43.6 
        percent master's, 45.2 percent doctoral), less than a quarter of all 
        degrees in engineering, but half to three-quarters of all degrees in 
        biological sciences, psychology, and social sciences, and account for 
        just 29 percent of the science and engineering workforce;
Whereas long-standing biases, discrimination, and gender stereotypes steered and 
        continue to influence girls and women away from science-related fields;
Whereas despite this, generations of women have continued to lead in scientific 
        discoveries and groundbreaking research;
Whereas, for centuries, female scientists such as Katherine Johnson, Dorothy 
        Vaughn, and Mary Jackson, whose stories were told in the movie ``Hidden 
        Figures'', and countless others have made groundbreaking discoveries, 
        contributed greatly to the advancement of their fields, and inspired a 
        generation of women to follow in their footsteps;
Whereas the United States and 192 other Member States of the United Nations 
        unanimously prioritized ending the gender gap in education through 
        Sustainable Development Goal 4--to ensure inclusive and equitable 
        quality education--and the United Nations International Children's 
        Emergency Fund, United Nations Women, and the United Nations 
        Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization are working together 
        with countries and the private sector to strengthen girls and women 
        participation in STEM fields, however there is still a long way to go; 
        and
Whereas by elevating the work of women and girls in science, we can inspire the 
        next generation of STEM leaders, thinkers, and professionals: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the significance of the International Day of 
        Women and Girls in Science;
            (2) recognizes the importance of having greater 
        representation of women in science fields; and
            (3) recognizes the groundbreaking contributions of women in 
        STEM fields, past, present, and future.
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