KABUL: Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, emphasized that equality in the field of science is essential for the advancement of humanity, coinciding with February 11, the International Day of Girls and Women in Science. In a post on his X account today, he stated that efforts must be made to realize the scientific aspirations of women and girls. Despite some progress in access to education, Guterres noted that currently only one in three researchers worldwide is a woman. This is particularly concerning in Afghanistan, where girls are deprived of education beyond the sixth grade. After returning to power, the Taliban halted education for girls above this level and, a year later, banned them from attending universities. The United Nations designated February 11 as the “International Day of Girls and Women in Science” in 2015 to honor the role of women in science and technology.
