International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026: Advancing equity for better research and health outcomes

On February 11, 2026, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science highlights the vital role women play across all scientific disciplines, and why their full inclusion is essential for stronger, more unbiased research.

February 2026

From biomedical innovation to the social sciences, diverse perspectives improve scientific quality, reduce blind spots, and ensure research better reflects real-world populations. This is particularly critical in areas such as maternal and child health, where gender bias in research design and data has historically contributed to gaps in care, diagnosis, and treatment.

Under the 2026 theme, “From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap,” this year’s observance emphasises the imperative of translating commitment into meaningful action. Advancing gender equality in science is not only a matter of fairness, but it also directly improves public health, social policy, and innovation by embedding inclusion into how knowledge is produced and applied.

The European Vaccine Initiative (EVI) embodies this approach through its diverse, global team of women scientists and its commitment to research that responds to the needs of all populations. By prioritizing both team diversity and research focused on diseases and health challenges that disproportionately impact women and children, EVI helps generate more inclusive scientific evidence and advances its mission to ensure universal access to life-saving vaccines and to combat life-threatening diseases worldwide. 

To mark this day, EVI is also amplifying the voices of its scientific staff. In the reflections that follow, EVI researchers share what inspired them to pursue careers in science and offer their perspectives on whether, and how, women shape not only who conducts research, but how research questions are asked, designed, and ultimately transformed into impact.

A film showing cells dividing took me into science when I was a kid. This led me to a very joyful experience in molecular biology and later to applied sciences. I realised that it was important to do something that you could be proud of, and one of them was to participate actively in the mission of improving the lives of the disadvantaged populations.  During my career, I had the chance to work with brilliant and visionary women who were fighting for better equity and fairness; this was a real driver for my motivation. Now, as I reach the end of my career journey, I see that the younger generation of girls and women has taken over.  I feel confident that the battle will continue.

Sophie Houard

Director of Vaccine Development

Science appealed to me because I’ve always been curious, and I love solving problems that matter. But I was also drawn to it because I wanted to challenge the outdated idea that science is a man’s field. As a pharmacist and clinical trial regulator, I see firsthand how research can directly improve lives when it’s done with rigor, ethics, and real-world impact in mind.  Women don’t just participate in research, we reshape it by asking new questions, prioritizing overlooked needs, and pushing science to be more inclusive. To every woman considering science: your ideas matter, and you belong at the forefront of discovery.

Samiratu Yakubu

WHO-TDR Clinical Research Fellow

I pursued science out of curiosity, the desire to ask meaningful questions and answer them creatively. That curiosity led me early to immunology and vaccine research, with the body’s remarkable defences and the chance to strengthen them, especially for under‑prioritized diseases. As my career grew, I became more aware of the voices missing in the field. Having few female role models showed me early on how vital women’s leadership truly is. Working for decades with partners in the global south has proven just how powerfully girls and women shape health. Continuing this work, and helping young girls see themselves in science, would be a privilege.

Elena Ambrosino

Senior Project Manager