New project information session attracts over 400 participants

OWSD and UNESCO have launched a new global initiative designed to address the persistent underrepresentation of women in science. The project, ''Gender-inclusive science institutions and systems (GenSIS): Strengthening the leadership of women in research and higher education”, was announced at the OWSD General Assembly in Bogotá and builds directly on the UNESCO Call to Action on closing the gender gap in science.

The initiative is supported by a three-year agreement between UNESCO and Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and responds to 2025 UNESCO data showing women account for only 35 per cent of STEM graduates worldwide and less than one third of researchers, a disparity that continues to limit scientific capacity and innovation.

OWSD at the centre of implementation
GenSIS will be implemented jointly by OWSD and the UNESCO Gender Equality in Science team. OWSD’s network of 59 National Chapters and more than 12,000 women scientists, as well as the wider ecosystem established through initiatives such as the L’Oréal UNESCO For Women in Science Programme, give the project a robust base of expertise and long-standing partnerships.

The project will work with universities, research centres, STI ministries and funding agencies to strengthen gender inclusive systems. New National GiS Committees, to be coordinated by OWSD National Chapters, will bring national stakeholders together to improve data collection, identify structural barriers and design transformative policies.

Global engagement from the start
Interest in the project has already proved substantial. Two information webinars (slides below) hosted on 10 December 2025 drew 1,281 registrants and 501 unique participants from 93 countries, making the launch one of the most geographically diverse online events OWSD has held in recent years.

Europe and North America saw the highest participation with 207 attendees (suggesting great interest from policymakers and partners in these regions), followed by strong interest from the four regions where OWSD national chapters are represented: Africa (149 participants), Asia and the Pacific (55), Latin America and the Caribbean (47), and the Arab region (34). The top ten countries represented included France, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, the United States, South Africa, Nepal, Colombia, Malaysia and Zimbabwe.

Project consultant, Alessandro Bello, said the turnout demonstrated both the global interest, the engagement of the OWSD community and the readiness of different institutions to collaborate. He also emphasised the complementary roles that institutions can play in closing the gender gap in STEM.

“GenSIS represents a powerful collaborative effort that connects evidence, institutions and policy leadership to drive systemic change and accelerate progress toward inclusive STI ecosystems.”

The webinars also previewed the forthcoming International Community of Practice, which will link institutions with effective gender inclusive policies to those seeking to improve, allowing them to share evidence, mentor others and contribute to emerging global standards.

Opportunities for participation
OWSD National Chapters and policy makers in target countries are invited to submit an Expression of Interest to take part in this project. Policy makers must apply in partnership with an OWSD National Chapter, details of which are below.

NB: Supporting documentation (EoI, FAQs and webinar slides) is available for download at the end of this page, below the webinar video.

--------------------------------------------------

Expressions of Interest TIMELINE

Now until mid-January 2026: Download the Expression of Interest document and prepare required information.

Mid-January 2026: Submission window opens. Deadline to be announced.

January until March 2026: Submissions will be reviewed and the selected applicants notified by the end of March.
 

--------------------------------------------------