We explore space for various reasons. One of them is the hope to encounter unknown matter, alien life forms, or anything that may quench our curiosity, as to why are we here? Are we alone? Or is there a grand scheme in which we play a small role? Our desire to find our place in the universe is one of the reasons we send the best of us to space.

Unfortunately, out of 566 people who ever performed space travel, just 11% were women. No woman has ever set her foot on Moon. When ISRO planned Gaganyaan mission to showcase its capability to send humans in low earth orbit, they were forced to shortlist an all-men crew due to the unavailability of female test pilots. 

This disparity is an outcome of the deep-rooted issues of gender bias in our societies. Every year, thousands of girls are killed in the womb for want of a male child. When girls do get born, only fortunate one’s are allowed to access education. While accessing education or employment, girls face a hoard of predators, hounding them in broad daylight. In case girls manage to defy impediments to achieve financial freedom, somehow their loyalty to their families becomes questionable.

We need to change this. And we start by placing more women in space. NASA plans to send the first woman on Moon in 2024 under its Artemis mission. This act in space will be an inspiring event for girls across the world, struggling against varied forms and degrees of sexism every day. Irrespective of their origin, race, or status, a woman's foot on the moon will be a message to girls that the sky is not the limit, it is the beginning. It will also become a ray of hope, that our newfound equality in space will someday trickle down to earth as well. 

Please consider signing this petition. If we may garner enough support on this, we may see more female footprints on celestial bodies, allowing girls their fair share of peace, justice, and equality.

I am Aadya Baghel. I am 7 years old. I am that girl who stands up for other girls, and I want to be an astronaut for the love of stars.

See you in space!

#morewomeninspace