The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated annually on 11 February, was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to ensure women and girls' full and equal access to and participation in science. This Day is a reminder that women and girls play an important role in the science and technology community and that their participation must be expanded. 

Science and gender equality are vital to achieving sustainable development. However, women and girls continue to be excluded from participation in science: less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women. Addressing some of the major challenges of the Sustainable Development Agenda - from improving healthcare to combating climate change - relies on harnessing the talents of everyone. This means attracting more and more women to work in these fields. Diversity in research expands the pool of talented researchers, introducing new perspectives, talents and creativity.

On February 9, 2024, a lecture “Fundamentals of Biosafety” devoted to International Day of Women and Girls in Science has been held by the WiN Tajikistan. The lecturer was Nazarova Orzugul - PhD, microbiologist of the Republican Center for Combating Quarantine Diseases of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan.

In her lecture, Nazarova Orzugul spoke about the main sources of biological danger to the population, animals and the environment:

•    pathogenic microorganisms, prions, causative agents of parasitic diseases (dangerous and especially dangerous infections, including natural focal, spontaneous, new and “returning”);
•    damaging factors – waste products of microorganisms (toxins, enzymes, protein bioregulators, superantigens, mini-antibodies), technophilic microorganisms, etc.;
•    genetically modified organisms and genetic constructs (viral vectors, double-stranded RNA, oncogenes, genes encoding toxin proteins);
•    pathogens resistant to modern antimicrobials;
•    ecopathogens that damage physical objects of the environment.

It was noted that biosecurity involves the application of containment principles, technologies and practices to prevent unintentional exposure to pathogens and toxins or their accidental release.

Also in her lecture, Orzugul Nazarova touched upon the emergence of new infections (Ebola, Zika, Coronavirus), recurring infections (poliomyelitis, measles) and dangerous diseases such as plague, cholera, malaria, leptospirosis, brucellosis, etc. and how the Republic of Tajikistan is combating with these threats. 

In conclusion, it was noted that women have a huge contribution to the development of science, and young women scientists and girls have enormous potential for the promotion, growth and enhancement of scientific technologies, which are already working for the benefit and prosperity of Tajikistan.