Girls day in Germany

April 23 marked Girl’s Day this year in Germany. This day is set aside every year to encourage young women to explore technical and scientific jobs in the market place. This innovative, nation-wide scheme was set up in 2001 with German federal government support to stimulate the interest of girls in jobs normally dominated by men, such as in technical labs and companies, industrial firms and universities, training facilities and research centres. The basic idea behind the Day is to encourage these organisations and industries to open their doors to girls, so they can see first-hand what sort of work they can do when they grow up.This year hosted 9,098 events across the country so that German girls – between grades five and ten – are able to get a sense of working life and to meet personnel and training staff in hundreds of organisations. On this day, girls around the country don lab coats, talk to editors, see how factory lines work, and meet people from all walks of life, who can advise and help them make future career choices which break the stereotypical mould. In 2001, 39 participating companies, government authorities, universities and research centres, accommodated 1,800 girls. In 2009, 356 companies and organizations, accommodated 127,113 girls. A number of companies have also begun to include boys in their initiatives on the day. This approach aims at reducing the separation of both gender, and reduces the singling out of girls and the wide-spread preconception that they need encouragement and help to opt for a technical or scientific career.