On 20 December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on science, technology and innovation for development, in which it recognized that full and equal access to and participation in science, technology and innovation for women and girls of all ages is imperative for achieving sustainable development. It also highlighted the need to break down barriers and stereotypes that have historically discouraged women and girls from pursuing careers in STEM fields. By promoting greater access to education, training, mentorship, and opportunities in STEM, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science aims to inspire and empower the next generation of female scientists and innovators.

To celebrate this day and recognise the important advancements women have done in soil sciences, the “Young and Early Career” Working Group of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) has organized the online event Global Women’s Breakfast 2024 – Catalyzing diversity in Science, which took place on February 27, 2024. As part of the event, four leading women in soil science participated in a round table discussion: Dr Laura Bertha Reyes, past-President of the IUSS and first woman occupying this position, Dr Prapa Taranet, scientist of the Land Development Department (LDD) under Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives of the Kingdom of Thailand, Dr Karolina Lewińska, Professor at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poland, and Dr Natalia Rodríguez Eugenio, Land and Water Officer of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and member of the Global Soil Partnership Secretariat.

During the event, keynote speakers highlighted the different roles that women have played in the development of soil sciences. Dr Reyes presented the biography of pioneering researcher Emma Marie Antoine Taüber, who was the first woman to receive a PhD in geology in Germany and one of the few women present at the founding of the International Society for Soil Sciences (now known as IUSS). Many other women relevant to the development, advancement and current recognition of soil sciences were briefly mentioned but deserve further recognition.

Speakers and participants also addressed the main barriers women face in advancing their scientific and professional careers. They highlighted the “scissors effect” that exists in scientific careers, including soil science, where young women occupy more than half of the positions in scientific studies, PhDs and early post-docs, but their numbers are drastically reduced when moving up into management and decision-making positions. This is due to multiple barriers, including bias in recruitment processes or the difficulty of balancing private and working life, which prevents large numbers of highly qualified women in mid-career from progressing to more senior positions.

This event is one of many held around the world in commemoration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Participants agreed that there is a need to continue and strengthen efforts to give visibility to all women who have contributed and are contributing to the advancement of soil sciences and better soil management around the world to serve as an example to new generations of girls who have many ideas to contribute. The importance of implementing gender-sensitive mentoring and educational programmes in all areas, from schools to international organisations, as well as for farmers, was also highlighted. In this regard, the role played by the Thai Soil Doctors Programme and the Global Soil Doctors Programme implemented by FAO worldwide in providing tools to men, women and youth to enable them to adopt more sustainable soil management, improve the health of their land and improve their livelihoods was underlined.

From these lines, the Global Soil Partnership Secretariat launches its small tribute to all women and girls who share our passion for soils, and encourages them to join forces and raise their voices for healthy soils for all.