7 November 2025

As part of the World Food Forum (WFF) 2025, FAO and UNESCO, together with the WFF Youth Initiative and the WFF Young Scientists Group, organized a panel discussion on “Empowering women and girls in science for agrifood systems transformation”. This multicultural and intergenerational event brought together women scientists to share experiences and discuss how institutional support, mentorship and advocacy can close the gender gap in science.

The discussion opened by acknowledging that gender equality in science remains an unfinished agenda.

Annapaola Coppola, Programme Manager of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Programme at UNESCO, noted that while progress has been made in recent decades, women and girls continue to face barriers that limit their participation and leadership in research and innovation. She emphasized that addressing these gaps requires collective effort.

According to the UNESCO Science Report 2021, only about one in three researchers globally is a woman, and women represent just 35 percent of students in STEM fields.

These gaps, as highlighted by Leticia Tanchella Niehues, Young Scientists Group Lead at FAO, not only limit equity, but also hinder the innovation and diversity of ideas needed to achieve broader development objectives, including the transformation of agrifood systems. She underscored the importance of creating safe spaces for women to exchange, network and discuss the gender barriers they face, noting that “Research can be a very solitary path and building supportive communities makes a real difference”.

Intergenerational Collaboration and Institutional Support

The first part of the panel explored the powerful role of mentorship and representation in shaping women’s journeys in science. Panellists reflected on how support from other women scientists has influenced their paths and how inclusive mentorship structures can inspire girls and young women to pursue careers in agrifood research. They also discussed how to amplify the voices and contributions of women scientists at both local and global levels.

Coline Monchanin, L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science laureate and Postdoctoral Researcher on Pollinator Behaviour, emphasized the importance of visible role models who can inspire and guide future generations: “We really have to connect young women with visible, accessible role models in science, to give them a sense of their potential”.

Panellists also pointed out that the challenges faced by women in science are not only about gender. They often intersect with cultural and social factors, which can make access to opportunities even harder, especially for Indigenous women scientists.

Yanenowi Logan, Indigenous Youth Leader from the Seneca Nation and FAO Intern, shared her experience navigating these challenges: “There’s a lack of data and support for Indigenous science to be validated and recognized within STEM . . . Indigenous knowledge is led by women and youth, and I think validating these spaces is one of the biggest challenges.”

Building on the reflections around mentorship and representation, the second part of the dialogue turned to how institutions can better support the participation of women in science and encourage collaboration across generations. The discussion emphasized that creating space for diverse voices is key to innovation and progress in agrifood systems.

Mayumi Sato, Sociology PhD student and member of FAO’s Young Scientists Group, underscored the need for genuine inclusion of youth in research processes, noting that “Intergenerational collaboration is about giving women agency, and, more importantly, confidence.”

At the same time, panellists explored how institutional structures can evolve to better support women in science. Aurélie Tollier, Senior Scientist in Innovation Management, emphasized the need for change not just in individuals, but in systems themselves: “We need to acknowledge the discontinuities of knowledge across generations”, she said, emphasizing that the next generation of women should not have to adapt to outdated contexts that limit their potential.

The Value of Partnerships in Closing the Gap

The discussion concluded with a call for stronger partnerships and collaboration between institutions, sectors, and generations to close the gender gap in science and research and accelerate progress on the 2030 Agenda.

In her closing remarks, Dina Sattybayeva, UNDS Reform UN Partnerships Specialist, Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division, FAO, said “It is important for us to join forces – whether with UN partners, the private sector, academia, or civil society . . . Women in science are a driving force. Science itself is an important driver of agrifood systems transformation, and that transformation is a key entry point for the wider sustainable development agenda.”

FAO and UNESCO remain committed to initiatives that support women in science and in advancing gender equality more broadly at global, regional and country levels. Collaboration is essential in ensuring these efforts have lasting impact, enabling science to contribute fully to inclusive, resilient and sustainable development.