To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, this webinar presented findings from a pilot study on the underrepresentation of women in scientific organizations. Conducted in collaboration with the Standing Committee for Gender Equality in Science (SCGES), the study was based on qualitative interviews with ten women scientists from diverse disciplines and regions. It examined the systemic and individual factors influencing women’s participation and success in these organizations.
The webinar highlighted key findings, including institutional biases, gender stereotypes, and the strategies women scientists employ to navigate these challenges. Four of the interviewed scientists shared their experiences, discussed the obstacles they had encountered, and outlined their efforts to foster inclusivity and gender equality in their fields.
This event was part of IUPAC’s Global Women’s Breakfast (GWB 2025).
The webinar concluded on 10 February at 3 PM CET and the video can be viewed below:
Catherine Jami
Director of Research – French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)
My academic journey in mathematics began with a challenging experience of sexist harassment. Over time, my work as a historian of science deepened my understanding of the need to amplify the voices of all contributors to global scientific knowledge. This realization has driven my efforts to unite scientists from diverse disciplines and countries to promote gender equality in science.
Mónica Moraes
Researcher Director – Instituto de Ecologia, Universidad Mayor de San Andres, former President of the National Academy of Sciences of Bolivia
Although I did not encounter significant gender discrimination early in my career, my experience with delayed acceptance as a full academician in the Bolivian Academy of Sciences revealed subtle biases. As the first female president of the Academy, I established a gender commission and introduced an award recognizing Bolivian women scientists. Through consensus-building, I spearheaded reforms to institutional practices, demonstrating the importance of leadership in driving gender inclusivity.
Marie Françoise Ouedraogo
Assistant Professor – Department of Mathematics of the University of Ouagadougou
In Burkina Faso, socio-cultural barriers have significantly shaped my experiences of discrimination throughout my studies and career. The isolation faced by African women mathematicians led to the creation of the Association for Women in Mathematics in Africa (AWMA). Through AWMA, we have developed strategies to address these barriers and support the participation of African women in mathematics.
Encieh Erfani
Researcher, Perimeter Institute, Waterloo, Canada, Co-founder of the International Community of Iranian Academics
Gender apartheid in Iran systematically marginalizes women, severely hindering the nation’s scientific progress by limiting participation, leadership, and resource access for female scientists. These barriers, combined with the emigration of skilled women and repression of women’s rights movements like “Woman, Life, Freedom,” weaken Iran’s scientific capacity and global collaborations. International scholarships, fellowships, and advocacy are crucial to supporting Iranian women scientists and dismantling these inequities, fostering a more inclusive and innovative scientific community.
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