

On February 11, 2026, the global community comes together to honor the contributions of women and girls in the fields of science and technology. As part of this observance, the European Space Agency (ESA) has partnered with the EIROforum group—comprising prominent institutions such as CERN, EMBL, ESO, ESRF, EUROfusion, EU XFEL, ILL, and F4E—to promote greater female representation in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers. This initiative emphasizes the 2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science’s theme, which focuses on redefining STEM by addressing the gender gap.
The collective efforts of ESA and EIROforum are aimed at showcasing successful practices and strategies designed to empower women in these critical fields. They emphasize the importance of community and mutual support in dismantling obstacles posed by gender inequality. To amplify the voices of women making significant strides in science and technology, ESA and EIROforum have launched initiatives featuring insights and advice from these trailblazers.
For those interested in gaining wisdom from these inspiring professionals, ESA’s Instagram account will feature their personal insights, while the EIROforum website will present a “Wall of Wisdom,” detailing what can be done to foster gender equality in STEM. Through these efforts, both organizations hope to inspire the next generation of female scientists and technologists to break through prevailing barriers and redefine the future of science.






