More and more women are becoming interested in the world of science, especially mathematics. A few years ago, in 2018, International Women in Mathematics Day was established for the first time, in honour of Maryam Mirzakhani, the first and only mathematician to be awarded a Fields Medal in almost 100 years of the prize’s history. The aim of this celebration is not only to recognise the work of thousands of women who specialise in this field, but also to inspire more girls, young women and professionals to work in this area.
Although there is still a long way to go, there are more girls and adolescents in school in the world today than ever before, which represents a great opportunity to improve the future of women in important areas such as this. If we foster their growth, security and confidence in this field from the home and the classroom, we will form women capable of inspiring others and of eliminating barriers and stereotypes that are unconsciously perpetuated.
Girls, from an early age, have the capacity to excel in this area. An example of this constant work can be seen in the schools that form part of the International Educational Network of the Parentes Foundation in countries such as Croatia (Osnovna škola Ružičnjak), Czech Republic (Parentes CZ), Ecuador (Colegio Los Pinos), among others, where girls and adolescents are encouraged to take an interest in mathematics in a real and fun way. The practical classes, plus the work done at home, encourage them to become references and role models for future generations, making mathematics a tool for the success of many of them.