ENGENDERING INCLUSIVITY & DIVERSITY IN LIFE SCIENCES

The public sector maintains a higher representation of women as employees compared to the private sector as per data from the World Bank. Globally, women constitute 46 per cent of the workforce in the public sector, whereas in the private sector, they represent 33 per cent. While men outnumber women in the private sector across 130 countries, the trend is shifting in the public sector, where women outnumber men in 55 nations. This data sheds light on the increasing presence of women in high- and upper-middleincome countries' public sectors, highlighting a significant shift in workforce demographics.

In the realm of the public sector in life sciences, remarkable women are at the helm, steering initiatives and shaping policies that impact millions. From regulatory bodies to research institutions, these leaders exemplify excellence and resilience.

There’s Dr Choong May Ling, who serves as the chief executive for Singapore’s health regulatory body, or China’s leading epidemiologist Prof. Li Lanjuan, who was instrumental in the country’s fight against COVID-19. There's Dr Diana Siew, who is taking New Zealand's medtech sector to greater heights, along with many other inspiring women. These women, among many others, inspire the next generation of leaders and pave the way for inclusive and equitable practices in the life sciences sector.

We are celebrating International Women's Day on March 8, by spotlighting women's roles and challenges in life sciences, spanning leadership, clinical trials participation and pay parity issues. The story is divided into three parts. The first part highlights the remarkable achievements of women leading the public sector organisations in life sciences in APAC. In the second section, we will be discussing the persistent issue of pay parity in the sector, while the final section tackles issues related to women in clinical trials. Let's delve deeper.