Championing Her Future
Women scientists show girls that they can follow their dreams
- Available in:
- 中文
- English
Girls, as well as boys, have the right to realize their full potential.
Yet in China, some children are falling behind due to limited opportunities for high quality learning and skills development. According to national educational statistics, in 2022 over 53 million girls studied science at rural primary and secondary schools in China. But, like in many other countries, few go on to study at higher levels. Even fewer pursue careers and become leaders in these fields, according to a global UNICEF report.
When society doesn't encourage girls to pursue their interest in science, when stereotypes tell girls that they are not suited to these fields, when job opportunities and careers paths are unclear, we don’t just limit girls; we all miss out.
It’s time this changed. That’s why UNICEF is inspiring and empowering girls, especially in rural areas, to seize their right to education, particularly in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). As part of this, UNICEF and the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) has launched a series of videos, ‘Championing her Future’, to encourage girls to pursue their interest in STEM subjects. In these videos, leading women scientists take girls on tours of their subjects to show them that they too can become changemakers. Watch here:
Stella Christie: Becoming a Cognitive Scientist
Why do people see the world differently? And how can we understand how other people think? Professor Stella Christie shows us how to think about thinking.
"Observe and ask questions about the world! Every girl has the potential to become a scientist."
– Stella Christie
Ji Xingxiang – The Almighty Paper
Did you know that through scientific exploration, paper can be given superpowers? Professor Ji Xingxiang, who researches bio-materials and green papermaking, helps us understand how scientific research can help reduce pollution and find new uses for everyday items.
"Girl, you're like a blank sheet of paper, with infinite possibilities."
– Ji Xingxiang
Yan Yan – The Secrets of the Tomato
How did tomatoes become so delicious? It’s taken hundreds of years, but now we have some answers. Vegetable science researcher Yan Yan takes us on a journey through time to encourage girls to explore science.
"I hope I can eat the tomato you invent, or see anything else you invent."
– Yan Yan
Zhou Siyi: Exploring the Secrets of Space
She knows a lot of secrets, including the secrets of the universe. She is Zhou Siyi, a physicist who wants to share secrets of space and time with you.
"Science is a lot of fun! And the more you learn, the more fun you'll have!"
– Zhou Siyi
Shuai Mei: The Healing Potential of Robots
She's not a medical doctor, but she can treat people. Doctor of Engineering Shuai Mei has taken a unique path in medicine by helping people to walk again with robotics.
"It might be a little boring at first, but it will soon become super cool. You can make amazing things happen!"
– Shuai Mei
Marie-Luce Chevalier: Mysteries Buried in the Earth
She is not an explorer but is often found in dangerous wildernesses. She is Ma Xiaoli, a seismologist who is always on a treasure hunt.
"If you learn science well, any place that's far away can become accessible."
– Marie-Luce Chevalier