Girl Power: All-Female Expedition Set To Explore Antarctica

The largest all-female expedition is preparing to make its way to the southernmost continent on Earth -- Antarctica.

This expedition is the first step in a 10-year plan that aims to increase the number of women performing scientific roles. Once they reach the continent, all 77 members of the expedition will carry out important scientific work.

The leadership expedition is part of the project "Homeward Bound," which was initiated by entrepreneur Fabian Dattner.

"Science touches every part of our lives and every part of our future. And we know of women, that they collaborate, are inclusive, they're to be trusted with money and they have a legacy mind set," Dattner said as reported by ABC News.

"And when the planet is facing the dilemma it's facing, you would think we would make the best possible choice around who leads - and right now, that's women, in massively elevated numbers," she added.

The group is set to depart on Dec. 2 and the 20-day trip is about bringing global awareness to the low representation of women in some leadership positions, especially in the field of science, the Australian Associated Press reports.

The leadership activist hopes to reach about 1,000 women in the next decade. She wants to encourage women to perform important roles that could bring valuable social and political change, especially for the rights of women and the planet.

Today, women make up of just 20 percent of senior or leadership roles across all science fields. The project aims to change this and empower women across the globe. It is supported by renowned female scientists like Franny Armstrong, Dr. Sylvia Earl, and Dr. Jane Goodall.

"There is unconscious gender bias, women are perhaps not selected for things they could be selected for," Melinda Fitzgerald, Professor at the University of Western Australia, said. She added that gender diversity is important especially at the executive level.