What Holds Women And Girls Back In Science?

Today, as the world marks the 10th anniversary of the UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science, it's a chance to take stock of where we stand. Back in 2015, the United Nations General Assembly established this day to celebrate and support women and girls in science. But here we are, a decade later, and the challenges they face haven't disappeared. Why is it still so hard for women to break through in science? The reasons are complex. They're rooted in long-standing biases, societal expectations and systemic barriers that continue to hold them back.

Around the world, women constitute roughly one-third of scientific researchers, a ratio that has remained relatively unchanged over the past decade. However, as one climbs the ranks of the scientific hierarchy, this representation declines. For instance, women make up only 12% of members in national science academies globally. These figures reveal significant regional variation, with no clear link between a