The 11th of February marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, established by the United Nations in 2015 to promote gender equality and recognise the essential role women and girls play in science¹. A decade on, the message remains urgent. Women still represent less than one third of the world’s researchers - a gap that limits not only fairness, but the quality, relevance and reach of scientific innovation².

UNESCO’s 2026 theme, From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap, builds on the 2024 Call to Action and the 2025 #EveryVoiceInScience campaign³. The focus moves beyond reflection to highlighting real, working examples of more inclusive STEM ecosystems. The question is no longer why representation matters, but how it is being done well, and how those approaches can be sustained.

This focus aligns with UNESCO’s broader work on gender equality in STEM, which emphasises that inclusion is not only about access, but about voice, influence and leadership⁴. Closing the gender gap strengthens the quality and impact of research and innovation. When girls see themselves reflected in science, participation turns into sustained presence, and presence into impact.

We often talk about supporting women to be more confident or more resilient, but in my experience, real change comes from both women and men. Women continue to push, lead and support one another. At the same time, progress depends on men recognising how often exclusion is perpetuated through their language, behaviour and silence, and being willing to challenge it when they see it. Assuming these dynamics are already resolved helps no one.

From what I have seen, small but deliberate changes in how scientific spaces are built have already made a difference, and more is still needed. At Hyrax, our work in infectious diseases, including HIV, tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2, has always been shaped by diverse teams, strong voices, and long-term relationships with partners across geographies and contexts. The drive, curiosity and personality of the people behind the science have mattered as much as the technology itself. That is why women and girls in science matter to us, not as an abstract principle, but because science is stronger, more relevant and more human when more voices are able to stay and contribute.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author.

References

1. International Day of Women and Girls in Science
   Established by the UN General Assembly in 2015 to promote full and equal access to participation in science for women and girls.
   United Nations
   https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day
   
   

2. Women in Science – Global Statistics
   UNESCO data showing that women represent less than one third of researchers worldwide, highlighting persistent gender gaps in science and innovation.
   UNESCO Institute for Statistics
   https://uis.unesco.org/en/topic/women-science
   
   

3. 2026 International Day of Women and Girls in Science Theme
   From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap, building on the 2024 Call to Action and the 2025 #EveryVoiceInScience campaign.
   UNESCO
   https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/2026-international-day-women-and-girls-science
   
   

4. Gender Equality in Science and Technology
   UNESCO’s broader work on gender equality in STEM, emphasising leadership, influence and participation across scientific ecosystems.
   UNESCO
   https://www.unesco.org/en/gender-equality/science-technology