Blog by Evelyne Para, SI Representative to UNESCO, Paris

As part of the Global Conference for the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development (IDSSD), held in July 2026 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, I had the opportunity to participate in the parallel thematic session on 17 July 2026, dedicated to the role of women scientists in shaping sustainable development policies.

Here is a summary of the enriching contributions made during that session.

The voice of women in the scientific field is essential

Organised by UNESCO in collaboration with the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), this session—opened by Begoña Lasagabaster, Director of the Gender Equality Division at UNESCO—examined why women’s voices in science are essential for shaping policies that address the global challenges of today and tomorrow, as well as how to further strengthen their participation at the science-policy interface.

Bringing together researchers, policymakers, international organisations, and development partners, the discussion highlighted concrete actions to strengthen women’s leadership—notably the GenSIS project led by UNESCO and OWSD—and to promote more inclusive scientific governance in support of sustainable development.

A stark reality was underscored: women remain significantly underrepresented across the scientific ecosystem, particularly in positions of leadership and influence. While modest progress has been made over the past decade in increasing women’s participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), substantial gaps persist.

According to UNESCO data, women account for approximately one-third of researchers worldwide. However, their representation drops significantly at the higher levels of academia, in research leadership positions, and within advisory and decision-making bodies. Their voices are also rarely heard at the science-policy interface and in science diplomacy processes, thereby limiting the diversity of perspectives informing policy decisions on some of the most pressing global challenges.

At the same time, achieving sustainable development requires strengthening the links between scientific knowledge and policymaking. Whether addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, public health, food security, or emerging technologies, evidence-based policies are essential to tackling increasingly complex global challenges. Ensuring the full contribution of women scientists to these processes is therefore not only a matter of gender equality but also a means to enhance the quality, relevance, and inclusiveness of policymaking.

Advancing gender equality in the scientific field

UNESCO has long championed efforts to advance gender equality in science and to strengthen the participation of women scientists in leadership bodies and decision-making processes.

Thanks to the L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” programme, more than 5,000 outstanding women researchers have gained visibility, recognition, and influence. Several laureates have subsequently assumed leadership roles within scientific advisory bodies, national institutions, and policymaking processes.

For example, on 11 June 11 2026, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, five female scientists were honoured under the L’Oréal-UNESCO programme for their pioneering contributions to medicine, the life sciences, and environmental science. The 2026 selection highlights their pivotal role in addressing global health and environmental challenges—ranging from groundbreaking tissue engineering and genomic research to agricultural innovations and the impact of nutrition on mental health.

Another example: Through its call to action titled “Closing the Gender Gap in Science” launched in 2024, UNESCO has mobilized governments, scientific institutions, the private sector, civil society, and international organisations for collective action aimed at removing the barriers women face in science and promoting more inclusive scientific ecosystems.

This objective is also supported by the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), which assists women scientists from the Global South through capacity building, networking, and leadership opportunities. More recently, UNESCO and the OWSD, with the support of Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), launched the GenSIS (Gender-Inclusive Science Institutions and Systems) project. This project aims to empower women scientists and leaders in the scientific sector to drive institutional and policy reforms that foster more inclusive national science systems, while facilitating international learning and the exchange of best practices.

In conclusion,

The thematic session held on 17 July at UNESCO, as part of the Global Conference for the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development, provided a valuable opportunity to:

• Examine the persistent obstacles and enabling factors influencing women’s participation in science policy-making, leadership bodies, and consultative processes;
• Highlight experiences and lessons learned from initiatives supporting women scientists as agents of institutional and policy change;
• Explore how scientific institutions, governments, funding agencies, and international organisations can create environments that foster greater influence for women at the science-policy interface;
• Facilitate dialogue among researchers, policymakers, development partners, and international organisations on ways to promote more inclusive and gender-responsive science governance;
• Identify concrete actions to strengthen the contribution of women scientists to the formulation of sustainable development policies.