International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023
It is over ten years since the United Nations (UN) formally recognised and began to champion equal access to (and participation in) science, technology and innovation for women and girls. The empowerment of women and girls is key to meeting the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and support significant economic development around the world. Despite this ongoing focus on gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) globally, a significant gender gap still persists at all levels. Data from the UN indicate that female researchers in STEM tend to have shorter, less well-paid careers. Women are typically given smaller research grants than their male colleagues and their work is underrepresented in high-profile journals.
The gender gap in STEM is also reflected in the UK. An All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Diversity and Inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) launched an inquiry into Equity in the UK STEM workforce in 2020. The APPG published a Data Analysis Brief on diversity and representation in the UK’s STEM workforce (including health) in 2019. Of a workforce of 32.8 million people, 9 million (18%) worked in STEM occupations, with a fewer female workers (27%) compared with 52% in the rest of the workforce. These data indicate that there is still much to do to promote equity in recruiting, retaining and promoting women in science careers.
More positively, progress has been made in women and girls accessing higher education globally and nationally. For example, in the UK, the percentage of students in higher education who identified as female was 41%-43% between 2019 and 2022 compared with 50% students who identified as male in the same time period. Interestingly, the percentage of female students studying biomedical sciences in the UK in 2019-2021 was 69% compared with only 31% male students. This gender split is also reflected in the workplace, with HCPC data showing that 70% of registered biomedical scientists identified as female in 2021.
Analysis of our IBMS membership levels indicates broad agreement with this gender split in the following categories: 70% female associate members; 72% female e-student members; 72% female licentiate members and 71% female Members. Notably, in the most advanced category of membership, only 57% IBMS Fellows are female.
Clearly, there is more to do in addressing the promotion and progression of female biomedical scientists. Visibility and recognition of strong senior female biomedical scientist mentors, leaders and advocates is fundamental to this change, as “you can’t be what you can’t see”. Excitingly, for the first time in our history, we have both a female IBMS President and President-Elect, who are fantastic role models for younger colleagues.
Whilst there is much to celebrate on this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, with increasing numbers of females accessing universities globally, significant challenges remain. By working together as mentors, allies and supporters, we can confront gender bias and prejudice and work towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 for equal rights and respect for all women and girls.