Empowering Women and Girls in Science: Progress and Challenges
Scientific discoveries and innovations are driven by brilliant minds. However, the opportunity to shine has historically been greater for men. In the EU, women make up 48% of doctoral graduates, yet they represent only one-third of researchers. According to the United Nations, female researchers tend to have shorter, lower-paid careers.
Although progress has been made, women continue to face underrepresentation in many scientific fields, particularly in senior academic and leadership positions. Obstacles such as unconscious bias, lack of mentorship, and restricted access to resources hinder their full participation in research and innovation.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science
February 11 marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a time to celebrate achievements, inspire young girls, and encourage them to pursue their scientific ambitions. It also serves as a reminder of the need for continuous support in fostering gender equality in science.
The European Commission remains committed to gender equality—one of the EU’s core values. Several key initiatives and policies aim to ensure equal opportunities for women in research and innovation.
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Key EU Actions Supporting Gender Equality in Science
1. Gender Equality Plans (GEPs)
Gender equality is a priority in the European Research Area (ERA), with a focus on institutional reforms. Since 2022, all higher education institutions, research organizations, and public bodies applying for Horizon Europe funding are required to implement a Gender Equality Plan (GEP).
These plans must address:
✔ Work-life balance
✔ Gender balance in leadership and decision-making
✔ Fair recruitment and career progression
✔ Inclusive gender perspectives in research
✔ Measures against gender-based violence
For more information, explore the PLACEHOLDER8b6baef5982f7448 and PLACEHOLDER7512fd031c2561a4.
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2. Recognizing Gender Equality Champions
The EU Award for Gender Equality Champions honors academic and research organizations pioneering gender equality reforms through GEPs. These champions inspire institutional change and promote inclusive policies.
So far, two award ceremonies have celebrated seven champions from Ireland, Spain, Sweden, and France, with the next ceremony scheduled for March 2025.
🏆 Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Spain) – With women leading most research groups, the university has also launched campaigns to prevent gender-based discrimination and harassment.
🏆 South East Technological University (Ireland) – This institution has achieved gender balance in academic leadership, ensuring equal representation at all teaching levels.
Interested in joining these changemakers? Learn how to apply for the next EU Gender Equality Champions award.
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3. EU-Funded Projects Supporting Women in STEM
Women’s participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is critical—not just for gender equality but also for addressing global challenges like digitalization and sustainability. However, the She Figures 2021 report highlights that women remain underrepresented in STEM doctoral programs.
To address this, the EU is funding research and innovation projects aimed at:
✔ Encouraging young girls to join STEM fields
✔ Improving recruitment, retention, and career growth for women in science
Notable projects include:
🔬 STREAM IT – Helps remove barriers for underrepresented groups in STEM by creating inclusive educational tools, mentoring programs, and science workshops.
🎨 STE(A)M Education Initiatives – A trio of projects—PLACEHOLDER342aa2557940224e, PLACEHOLDER9be4bb943a8f1faf, and SENSE—are developing a roadmap for gender-inclusive science education by blending STEM with arts and creativity.
Discover more about these projects:
✔ STREAM IT
✔ [Road
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