A book entitled "February 11," the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, was launched Tuesday at the UN headquarters, which is hailed as the first book to highlight the role of women in science for sustainable development.

At a press briefing launching the book, Nisreen El-Hashmemite, one of the co-authors of the book, said the book is also a first to focus on an international day observed by the UN and to feature girls in science as authors.

Introducing the logo on the book cover, she pointed to the 17 colored dots placed on an entangled but "infinite" loop, saying the dots represent the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and the loop symbolizes the idea of sustainability.

El-Hashmemite, also an Iraqi scientist, said the proceeds of the book will go towards global programs supporting and empowering women and girls in science, particularly those in developing countries.

Lara Louise Bevan-Shiraz, a 15-year-old British girl and another co-author, shared with the press her story of writing a chapter of the book as well as her experience of growing up as a girl polymath.

Camille Schrier, Miss America 2020 and also a woman in science, expressed her appreciation of the new book from the audience seat.

Earlier on Tuesday, Bevan-Shiraz presided over the opening segment of the fifth International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly. The ongoing assembly is expected to last two days.

In December 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring Feb. 11 as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. 

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