To put the spotlight on the International Women’s Day celebrated on 8 March, COST Actions share their initiatives which started already on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, and we have compiled here some of their contributions to raise awareness on the issues that must be addressed to achieve equality. The International Women’s Day is a global day taking place every year to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
At a glance: Women in COST Actions
Women are making their mark in COST Actions, now representing an average of 54% of participants.
- 55% of researchers in COST Action leadership positions are women.
- 42% of Action Chairs and 56% of Action Vice-Chairs are women.
- 53% of the total young participants in COST Actions are women.
- 60% of ITC participants in COST Actions are women.
Read the Gender equality Plan at COST
COST Actions’ contributions
Here are some of COST Actions’ initiatives to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science and the International Women’s Day.
BeSafeBeeHoney – BEekeeping products valorization and biomonitoring for the SAFEty of BEEs and HONEY
Carousel of messages by women contributing to bee science, food safety and One Health.
Post on Instagram.
See more from this Action on
Instagram,
Facebook and
LinkedIn.
PCPSce –
Print Culture and Public Spheres in Central Europe (1500-1800)
Article exploring how women have actively shaped the production and circulation of knowledge, highlighting their often overlooked roles in early print culture – as printers, publishers, booksellers, and workshop managers. Through concrete historical examples, it also invites reflection on the longer historical roots of today’s research infrastructures and collaborations.
Blog post on the Action’s website.
RethinkBlue –
Rethinking the Blue Economy: Socio-Ecological Impacts and Opportunities
Video aimed to encourage the next generation of women in science by sharing the perspectives of women working in the field, as the future of the Blue Economy depends on those we empower and support today.
Video on YouTube.
EPICROPS –
Epitranscriptomics and ncRNAs for climate-change-resilient and sustainable crops
Video
celebrating the women behind RNA biology and the power of collaboration.
Video on YouTube.
See more from this Action on
LinkedIn,
Instagram,
X, and
Facebook.
INFOTECH-DATA –
International Food Techno-functionality – Data
Video featuring inspiring messages from the Chair and women leaders shaping the future of food data, technology and innovation.
Video on Instagram.
ADVANCE-TB –
Towards an improvement in diagnostics and treatment strategies for TB control
Report compiling a summary of the data obtained through a survey started in early 2025 and the updated figures from February 2025.
Report on the Action’s website.
STOCHASTICA –
Stochastic Differential Equations: Computation, Inference, Applications
Perspectives from some women in the network who, through their work in mathematics, computation, and applications, shape not only research directions but also the communities we work in.
Post on the Action’s website.
PANGEOS – Pan-European Network of Green Deal Agriculture and Forestry Earth Observation Science
Publication produced thanks to the power of women supporting women, and how international research networks like COST create real scientific impact.
Post on LinkedIn and
article on ScienceDirect.
PEN@Hydropower – Pan-European Network for Sustainable Hydropower
Webinar to reflect on gender equality in hydropower, while spotlighting women whose work is shaping the sector.
Further information, including the Zoom link to join the meeting, on the Action’s website.
ILCquest – Innate lymphoid cells – The European quest for innovative cancer prognosis and immunotherapy
Blog post featuring women participating in the Action and highlighting their achievements.
Cracked, but still there: the glass ceiling persists for senior women in science in Nature
FAO Liaison Office with the European Union and Belgium
Women in Science shaping a brighter agrifood future
The article published by the FAO features four women participating in three COST Actions:
– Dr Lucia Martinelli, MC member of VOICES – Making Young Researchers’ Voices Heard for Gender Equality
– Prof. Nicola P. Randall, Chair of EU-NESA – Network for Evidence Synthesis in The Agri-Food Sector
– Dr Serena Caucci, MC member and WG leader of EU-NESA – Network for Evidence Synthesis in The Agri-Food Sector
– Dr Gwenaëlle Dauphin, Chair of ESFLU – European Swine Influenza Network
Additional information
Check the previous editions of this live blog:
2025: https://www.cost.eu/live-blog-gender-2025/
2024: https://www.cost.eu/live-blog-gender-2024/
2023: https://www.cost.eu/live-blog-gender/
Gender equality at COST
Gender Equality Plan for COST Actions
Eurostat’s podcast ‘Data on women in research and innovation’
European Commission’s gender equality strategy