The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated on February 11, highlights the ongoing gender gap in STEM fields despite progress. The 2025 anniversary theme is ‘Unpacking STEM careers: Her Voice in Science’. In Iran, women’s status has improved significantly post-Islamic Revolution, with rising literacy and representation in various sectors, including leadership roles. Iranian women now constitute about 60% of university students and contribute over 24% of national inventions. However, only 12% of startups are founded by women. Recent accolades for Iranian women in international competitions further emphasize their growing influence in science and entrepreneurship.
Iran has been elected to represent South and West Asia on the Ramsar Convention Standing Committee, enhancing its role in international environmental decision-making during COP15 in Zimbabwe. This position allows Iran to influence regional wetland conservation efforts and participate in global discussions. The Standing Committee, which includes representatives from 18 countries, guides and monitors wetland conservation initiatives. Iran was also elected Vice-Chair at COP15, where a new strategic plan for 2025-2034 was adopted. Additionally, three Iranian cities received wetland city accreditation, highlighting their commitment to sustainable practices and community engagement in wetland conservation.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) is enhancing disaster preparedness through extensive training for about 85,000 rescuers and rapid response teams across various provinces, including Tehran and Isfahan. The program features three modules: city-level training for relief workers, provincial training for rescuers, and specialized instruction for rapid response teams. Recently, three trainers completed their training in essential areas and will conduct local sessions. Additionally, the IRCS held a Rescue and Relief Olympiad to improve the physical fitness and operational skills of rescuers. These initiatives aim to build a resilient community capable of effectively responding to disasters.
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Iran’s health ministry, represented by Alireza Raeisi, emphasizes the importance of the youth population amid global competition for human resources. Currently, Iran has a significant working-age demographic, presenting an opportunity for economic and social growth. However, neglecting this could lead to challenges like an aging population and a shrinking workforce. The ministry has initiated several programs, including free educational courses for young couples and extensive support for childbirth and infertility treatments. With a fertility rate of 1.6 children per woman, Iran faces a demographic shift, projecting that by 2050, 32% of its population will be elderly, necessitating adaptive policies for sustainable development.