11 February 2025
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day that recognises the continued challenges that women and girls face in trying to enter STEM careers. Gender equality is not just about empowering women but also realising the systemic barriers that they face and working to remove them as organisations and a society as a whole. ESCMID strives towards gender equality with the help of the Parity Commission, and this year ESCMID asked two leaders in the Society, Giulia De Angelis and Angela Huttner, to talk about their views on this issue and specifically in relation to ESCMID Global and scientific publications.
Giulia De Angelis – ESCMID Global Associate Programme Director
"I was taught that the way of progress was neither swift nor easy." – Marie Curie
These words, spoken by one of the most influential scientists in history, resonate deeply when considering the role of women in science. Despite significant progress, achieving true gender equity in the scientific community remains a challenge. The ESCMID Global congress is a testament to this ongoing evolution, showcasing the increasing presence and impact of women in infectious diseases and clinical microbiology. Since 2021, at least half of the invited faculty (speakers and chairs) have been women. In 2024, 58% of abstract presenters (both poster and oral) were female. Moreover, women make up 60% of the ESCMID Programme Committee, the group responsible for shaping the congress programme each year. These figures reflect the essential role women play, both directly and behind the scenes, in driving the success of the congress and advancing scientific knowledge. These numbers demonstrate tangible progress, yet there is still work to be done.
The presence of women in science is not just a matter of equality – it is a necessity for scientific progress. The Italian philosopher, psychoanalyst and sociologist Umberto Galimberti emphasises that women bring unique forms of intelligence to the table. While analytical-logical intelligence has traditionally been the cornerstone of scientific inquiry and is equally present in both men and women, women also bring intuitive and emotional intelligence that allow for a perception of patterns beyond logic and the integration of cognition with empathy. These complementary forms of intelligence are invaluable in scientific fields, where understanding complex interactions, whether between pathogens or within healthcare systems, requires both analytical rigor and human sensitivity.
As Galimberti points out, historically, women have had to navigate a scientific landscape shaped predominantly by men. However, true progress is not just about adaptation but it thrives when diverse perspectives actively contribute to shaping science. As he states, “Women must enter history as women; otherwise, history will never change.” For this reason, ESCMID Global often includes dedicated sessions to discuss issues related to gender equity and inclusivity, addressing key concerns and promoting the importance of building a more diverse and equitable scientific community.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the women who dedicate themselves to advancing science and especially enriching the ESCMID Global programme and experience. Your passion, expertise, and commitment are instrumental in shaping the future of research and healthcare. This passion drives me to continue to work towards a more inclusive and diverse scientific congress and wider community. We acknowledge and celebrate the invaluable contributions you make to the field of infectious diseases and clinical microbiology. Thank you for your dedication, leadership, and unwavering pursuit of knowledge.
Angela Huttner – CMI Communications Editor-in-Chief
Science and medicine exist to help us understand and improve our existence. In these fields, advances depend often on unconventional ideas and always on cooperation. Thus, optimal progress requires an even playing field, where all individuals may contribute and may receive equal opportunities to contribute. Privileging any one group over another would hinder population-wide progress, while equity among groups would drive it.
Scientific and medical journals exist to convey and share the knowledge that scientists and physician-researchers gather. The editors of those journals are the gatekeepers of knowledge and progress; they decide what scientific work is worthy, or unworthy, of publication. Just as science itself benefits from individuals with unconventional ideas and ‘think-outside-the-box’ approaches, science journals benefit from editors with open minds, awareness of potential biases, and a willingness to engage with unconventional ideas and the results of the studies they spark. In short, keeping a level playing field in the world of scientific and medical publishing is also in the interest of all of society.
Women make up half of humanity. In some countries, they make up more than half of the physician workforce and nearly half of the science-professional workforce. Yet nowhere do women come close to making up half of scientific or medical editors. They should. Not because they would be better at it. Simply because right now the numbers indicate that many qualified people are not being represented in a critical sphere: the one that decides which scientific and medical knowledge is worthy of further pursuit. Privilege is indifferent to merit, but progress is not.