Call to action: ''Closing the gender gap in science.

 

Today, just one in three scientists is a woman. Achieving gender equality in science will be essential if we are to address the complex global challenges we face, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, extreme poverty and the need for ethical approaches to artificial intelligence. The complexities of the 21st century require multifaceted approaches and new perspectives, making it imperative for both men and women to contribute to science. Despite some progress in recent decades, gender equality in science remains elusive, particularly in certain disciplines and countries. Lack of gender equality in science is not just a problem that affects women. It also limits scientific progress and hamstrings a country’s development and its efforts to build peaceful societies [i]. Achieving gender equality in science is all the more necessary today as we witness backsliding in some countries with regard to equal access to education and knowledge as well as increased numbers of women scientists living in conflict and disaster-hit areas. 

This Call to Action is addressed to the global community: to policy-makers and decision-makers at the level of governments, universities, research and educational institutions, funding organizations, philanthropic organizations and the private sector. 

It is a call to ensure that girls are never discouraged from pursuing their aspirations to become scientists and to convey to them that such goals are indeed attainable. 

It is also a call to dismantle the barriers that hinder women from realizing their full potential in science, in order to break the glass ceiling that prevents them from attaining leadership positions in scientific systems across the world. 

This Call to Action builds on the insights and analyses that emerged from the Global Forum on ‘The Future for Women and Girls in Science’ [ii] organized by UNESCO in June 2023. It integrates contributions from a multitude of stakeholders, including representatives of international organizations, government institutions, non-governmental organizations and academia as well as from both the private and public sectors. Through these reflections, key challenges and factors have been identified, which form the basis for the subsequent recommendations aimed at tackling the root causes of the gender gap in science.

The path to achieving gender equality in science is not without its challenges, but it is a path well worth pursuing. While women and men both face difficulties along their scientific journey, some of these challenges are unique to the experiences of women. These hurdles often result from deeply ingrained societal norms and expectations. We are seeing visible progress as more women enter the scientific arena and ascend to excellence in science and advancement to leadership roles, but progress could stall if we lower our guard. To pull down the barriers that women face, we must challenge stereotypes, biases and cultural expectations imposed by our gendered societies at the systemic level. We need to foster diversity of thought and insight, ensuring that young women are encouraged to pursue their scientific dreams without reservation and that meaningful careers await those who take this path. Science thrives on diverse voices and skills, so every woman with the potential to make groundbreaking or modest contributions to science should be supported in realizing her aspirations. 

It is imperative that we move beyond discussion to take meaningful short-term and longterm steps. This Call to Action serves as a rallying cry for us to seize the opportunity provided by our growing understanding of gender-related issues in science and the current momentum to create an inclusive society in which women and girls are not deterred from entering science or held back in their progress. Even minor changes at the societal level, such as that of raising the visibility of women role models, can make a substantial impact. The actions recommended here cover a wide spectrum, ranging from innovative learning strategies and appropriate career counselling to role models, from enhancing inclusive and fair workplace environments to promoting women in leadership positions. These actions and their potential impacts have relevance far beyond the field of science. Implementing these recommendations requires collaboration and partnership among diverse stakeholders, including governments, legislators, universities, research centres, non-governmental organizations, civil society and the private sector. Policymakers should prioritize the inclusion of women's perspectives to ensure well-rounded policy development. We cannot assess our progress if we fail to collect and share information. Gathering sex and gender-disaggregated data on a regular basis at country level is essential to devise evidence-based policies and monitor progress in closing the gender gap. Many countries have initiated gender-equality specific policies in science, indicating their growing commitment to the cause. With concerted efforts, we can pave the way for a future in which science truly knows no gender boundaries.