Office for Astronomy Outreach

Women and Girls in Astronomy

About Women and Girls in Astronomy

Every year, Women and Girls in Astronomy brings together people from around the world to celebrate and highlight the contributions of women and girls to astronomy.

Through this Global Theme, the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach aims to inspire the next generation of future scientists and engineers, promote gender equity in science, and foster a more inclusive astronomical community. All over the world, people can engage in workshops, talks and hands-on events, connecting stories and discoveries that remind us the Universe is open to everyone.

alt

Gallery: Women And Girls In Astronomy

Image 11 for Women and Girls in Astronomy
Image 34 for Women and Girls in Astronomy
Image 12 for Women and Girls in Astronomy
Image 40 for Women and Girls in Astronomy
Image 10 for Women and Girls in Astronomy
Image 13 for Women and Girls in Astronomy
Image 37 for Women and Girls in Astronomy
Image 38 for Women and Girls in Astronomy
Image 39 for Women and Girls in Astronomy
Image 36 for Women and Girls in Astronomy
Image 41 for Women and Girls in Astronomy
Content

Claiming our space

Women and Girls in Astronomy is a global event organised by the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach that seeks to go beyond celebration and create welcoming, intentional spaces, both online and in person, where women and girls can actively take part in astronomy.

 
Through hands-on activities and meaningful engagement, we aim to provide practical pathways into the scientific community while highlighting the essential role their ideas, questions, and perspectives play in advancing the field.


This initiative invites women and girls to confidently claim their place in astronomy, recognising that their contributions matter, not only scientifically, but also culturally and socially.

Women of Astrobiology poster one

How to participate?

  1. Plan a special event under this theme during International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February) and International Womens Day's (8 March) or any time throughout the year.
  2. Download or use the graphics template to create your own visuals and posters. HERE
  3. Register your event in our events calendar.
  4. Promote your event using the hashtags: 
    #WomenAndGirlsInAstronomy     and #MujeresyNiñasEnlaAstronomia!
Women of Astrobiology poster
Women of Astrobiology poster

Share your event with the world

We encourage you to share your events and participate in Women and Girls in Astronomy!


By submitting your event, you consent to participate in the OAO initiatives. Verified submissions will be added to the Women and Girls in Astronomy homepage calendar.

If your event is open to the public, please leave enough information for people to get involved - both in person and online!


Moreover, we aim to promote every event on social media. If pictures are available, you can share your initiative with over 15,000 people on social media using the hashtags: #WomenAndGirlsInAstronomy and #MujeresyNiñasEnlaAstronomia


The submissions must be written in English. If you cannot translate the information for your event, please use an online translator like Google Translate or DeepL.


Please note that we may copy-edit some content if needed.

The Women of Astrobiology

Women of Astrobiology is the theme for our 2026 scientific webinar series, which is dedicated to highlighting the work of women in one of the most interdisciplinary and rapidly evolving fields in science. Astrobiology brings together astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, engineering, philosophy, and education to explore fundamental questions about life: how it begins, where it can exist, and what it means for humanity.


Through this series, we showcase how women are leading research on planetary environments, the origins of life, and the search for biosignatures beyond Earth, while also expanding the scientific, cultural, and ethical dimensions of astrobiology. Their work is shaping how we understand life on Earth and the possibilities of life elsewhere in the universe.

Main activities and events Women and girls in astronomy

Astrobiology: The Science of Life Beyond Earth

Astrobiology: The Science of Life Beyond Earth

We begin Women & Girls in Astronomy by opening a dialogue on astrobiology, a field essential for understanding life on Earth and the search for life in the universe.

Our first conversation will be led by Dr Ximena Abrevaya (Argentina), senior research scientist at CONICET, who will introduce the central questions of astrobiology and its interdisciplinary approach across astrophysics, biology, and geology.

This talk marks the starting point of Women of Astrobiology, a space for shared questions, knowledge, and perspectives.
Go to live stream
Women in Astrobiology: Searching for Life Beyond Our Solar System with Dr. Mayuko Mori

Women in Astrobiology: Searching for Life Beyond Our Solar System with Dr. Mayuko Mori

Are we alone in the universe, or could there be other places capable of supporting life beyond our solar system? One of the most promising candidates in the search for life is exoplanets, planets that orbit stars other than the Sun.

Over the past few decades, astronomers have discovered more than 6,000 exoplanets using a variety of observational techniques. Thanks to recent advances in powerful telescopes and instruments, we are now moving beyond simple detections toward detailed characterization of individual planets. These measurements allow us to identify planets that may have conditions suitable for life, such as moderate temperatures or atmospheres rich in key chemical elements.

In this talk, I will introduce the current state of exoplanet research and explain how exoplanet observations connect to the broader field of astrobiology. I will also discuss the challenges we are now tackling to achieve robust detections of habitable worlds with the next generation of telescopes in the 2030s and beyond.
Live on OAO Youtube channel

Astronomy for everyone

Download here our graphics CANVA TEMPLATE  to use freely in your 2026 women and girls in astronomy event. 

NOC Iran 2025
Two elderly women inside a planetarium dome in Iran

OAO Astronomy Engagement Events

To highlight all the amazing activities happening around the globe, we will promote a map of events displayed on our website and our social media channels.
Map events image

More Information

All events must respect the general guidelines of the IAU Global Project and Themes, which promote the key role of astronomy for the betterment of science and society through collaboration and with a spirit of respect, tolerance, and peace.

If you need to change your events already on the calendar, please email the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach Team via public@...Click to show with the subject line “Women and Girls in Astronomy Calendar 2026 - Update”.If you cannot submit through this form, please email the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach team via public@...Click to show with the subject line “Women and Girls in Astronomy Calendar 2026 - Update”.