March 8th serves as an opportunity for reflection and advocacy in all fields, including health and life sciences. Women have made significant strides in many areas, but despite these important achievements, they are still underrepresented in leadership positions and continue to face unconscious bias. To address these issues, serious efforts are underway in Greece, as well as internationally, to promote women in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and life sciences fields, such as medicine, pharmacy, and biology.

One of the most crucial steps forward has been the adoption of Gender Equality Plans by universities and research institutions, following recommendations from the European Commission. At the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Committee plays an active role in shaping and implementing such actions across various sectors. Significant initiatives also come from organizations such as the Hellenic Association of Women University Professors (HELAWP) and the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science network.

However, one of the biggest obstacles that remains is implicit bias. Even in countries like Greece, stereotypes still influence women’s participation in science and research, from education and recruitment to evaluation and research funding. For example, the idea that certain roles in work or family life are “male” or “female” remains deeply ingrained and requires systematic efforts to overcome. A crucial shift in mindset could involve shared responsibility in child-rearing both within and outside marriage, ensuring that neither parent bears the sole responsibility for raising children. The same applies to domestic work, household management, and the care of older or vulnerable family members. However, changing mindsets alone is not enough. Political and social reforms are also needed to empower young female scientists and researchers.

Additionally, the guidelines and action plans for gender equality promoted by the European Commission and globally (at least until recently) have been focused on integrating gender into research. This approach is particularly important in neuro-sciences and neuropsychopharmacology, as many neuropsychiatric disorders exhibit gender differences in terms of prevalence, symptoms, and treatment responses. For instance, depression and anxiety disorders are more common in women than in men, and there are gender differences both in their pathophysiology and their treatment. Furthermore, it is well known that there are significant gender differences in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of several drugs, including antidepressants. As a result, both preclinical and clinical studies must be appropriately designed to detect gender differences.

In this context, our research team at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens has extensively studied gender differences in models of depression, anxiety, stress response, and antidepressant action. We have also proposed that the inconsistency between preclinical and clinical studies has contributed to the failure of discovering some new drugs. Therefore, targeted research and funding are essential to develop new safe and effective treatments for everyone.

International Women’s Day serves as a reminder that progress is achievable, but not guaranteed. To ensure a future where everyone has equal opportunities in health, science, research, and academic leadership, continuous effort is required. Change begins with education and society as a whole. As scientists, we have the responsibility to shape a fairer and more inclusive future.