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On International Women’s Day 2026, the InterAcademy Partnership launches “From Presence to Power”, a month-long global campaign celebrating women shaping science across our regions and reinforcing the institutional changes needed to achieve gender equality in scientific organizations.
This year’s campaign builds directly on the newly released global study:
'Towards gender equality in scientific organizations: assessment and recommendations'
Published in February 2026 by the International Science Council, the InterAcademy Partnership and the Standing Committee for Gender Equality in Science.
The report provides the most comprehensive global assessment to date of gender equality in scientific academies and international scientific unions. Drawing on institutional data from 136 organizations, survey responses from nearly 600 scientists and qualitative interviews, it offers a ten-year perspective on progress and persistent gaps.
Progress is real — but uneven
The findings show measurable improvement. Since 2015, the average share of women members in national academies has increased from 12 % to 19 %. The number of academies with extremely low representation has fallen significantly.
At the same time, women remain underrepresented relative to their share of the global scientific workforce, where they represent an estimate of 30 % of researchers worldwide.
The study highlights several key insights:
- Representation does not automatically translate into influence. Women remain underrepresented in presidential roles and senior governing bodies.
- Formal openness coexists with informal gatekeeping. Women are often underrepresented in nomination pools, even though once nominated they are elected at comparable or slightly higher rates.
- Participation is comparable, but experiences are not. Women are more than three times as likely to report barriers to advancement and 4.5 times more likely to miss opportunities due to care responsibilities.
- Gender equality policies are increasingly present, but often lack dedicated resources and strong institutional anchoring.
Together, these findings underscore a central message: progress in numbers alone is not enough. Systems, cultures and governance structures must evolve to ensure equal participation, leadership and recognition.
Female leadership at IAP
IAP is pleased to be led by two distinguished women scientists as Co-Presidents, Peggy Hamburg and Stephanie Burton. In addition, five out of six members of the IAP Board are women. This leadership composition reflects IAP’s commitment to advancing inclusive governance and ensuring that women’s expertise is visible at the highest levels of scientific collaboration and advice.
Celebrating women shaping science across the globe
Throughout March, IAP, in collaboration with our regional networks, will spotlight outstanding women scientists from Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia/Oceania.
Each week we will highlight scientists whose work advances knowledge, strengthens policy advice and contributes to solving global challenges. Through personal profiles and reflections, we aim to celebrate excellence, amplify voices and inspire the next generation.
By combining evidence and storytelling, “From Presence to Power” seeks to raise awareness of both achievement and impact.
International Women’s Day is a moment to recognize the women who shape science today and raise awareness that institutions are missing out on the powerful contributions through female leadership.
#FromPresenceToPower
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