For the past ten years, the United Nations has recognised February 11th as International Women and Girls in Science Day. This day highlights the incredible contributions of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and promotes greater gender equality.

Despite years of effort and discussion, women in science still face major challenges, including unconscious bias, harassment, and fewer opportunities for leadership roles. Men continue to dominate top leadership positions across society, and in STEM, we lose too many women early on in their education. It’s time for real action.

So, what can we do? Here are some simple steps anyone can take, no matter their position:

• Support and include more women. Treat the women around you fairly and make an effort to include them. If you are in a leadership role, lead by example. Change starts at the top, and many gender equality efforts fail due to a lack of real commitment from leadership.

• Measure progress and follow up. Collect data—without numbers, there’s no case for change. Track progress and reward improvements. But it’s not just about statistics; creating an inclusive and fair work culture matters just as much. Teamwork is key to solving complex problems, and diversity brings the different perspectives needed for success and innovation.

• Open doors for others. Women often lack the same professional networks as men, which limits their access to opportunities. Make sure women are included and given equal chances. And to the women reading this—build networks with other women and support each other.

The world is facing enormous challenges—climate change, diseases, energy crises, and more. We need every brilliant mind to contribute, not just half of the population. That means encouraging more young women to pursue STEM careers and supporting them as they move into academic or industry roles. To do this, we must highlight female role models and show that STEM careers are exciting and rewarding for everyone.

Let’s act as if every day is International Women and Girls in Science Day!

As we celebrate the incredible contributions of women in science, it’s time to make space for even more voices, ideas, and innovations. We encourage you to share your work by submitting to Quarterly Reviews in Biophysics or QRB Discovery. Your research can inspire others, break down barriers, and shape the future of science. By submitting to our journals, you become part of a growing community that champions diversity, fosters inclusion, and drives change in the scientific world. Together, we can ensure that women’s perspectives and contributions are recognised and valued at every level. Take the step today—your voice matters!

Author: Professor Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede, HonFRSC, Chalmers University of Technology

Read Professor Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede’s article here: A large ‘discovery’ experiment: Gender Initiative for Excellence (Genie) at Chalmers University of Technology where she pioneered a large gender equality project at her university