Excellences,
I am pleased to address you today to commemorate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a topic which is of great importance to my country.
In 2015, Malta was part of the initiating players of the process which led to the UN establishing 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
For us, this is a significant moment in the light of the prospect that Malta will be awarded the “Capital Country” for Women and Girls in Science title.
This is truly an honour.
Ensuring access to education and the fulfilment of all education-related goals are a crucial part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Encouraging and facilitating this for marginalised groups – especially women, who for centuries have been denied equal education opportunities – is crucial both in terms of the SDGs and the fairness and prosperity of our own societies.
The involvement of women and girls in science and in STEM-related topics has long been a topic of concern and a challenge in its own right.
In too many countries it is still a significant problem.
Malta is greatly satisfied to continue supporting such initiatives, which aim to address this issue, both in terms of country-specific or other factors that, directly or indirectly, for whatever reason, prevent larger numbers of girls and women from fully participating in studying science subjects and in having their achievements duly recognised.
Access to education has always been one of our priorities even more so now as a member of the UN Security Council.
The International Community can count on us to support actively the advancement of women and girls in science and innovation and to empower them to be agents of change.