Today, 11 February 2026, marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, established by the UN General Assembly in 2015 to acknowledge women’s contributions to science and to emphasise the importance of gender equality in scientific fields.

This year, UNESCO’s theme, “From vision to impact: Redefining STEM by closing the gender gap”, draws attention to practical measures that can reduce barriers and support broader participation across areas such as health, cybersecurity, AI and scientific entrepreneurship.

At the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, the day offers a moment to acknowledge ongoing work to support women in science across staff, postdoctoral and student communities, including through research leadership, mentorship and training that strengthens STEM capacity in South Africa and beyond.