About FIPWiSE
FIPWiSE (FIP Women in Science and Education) is an initiative that was launched on 11 February 2020 on the United Nations’ International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
FIPWiSE aspires to champion and enable women in pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy education to achieve their fullest potential, and to attract female students and young professionals into these fields. FIPWiSE gathers experts from around the world to identify the needs and inequities faced by women in these domains, offering timely, achievable and sustainable solutions. Its activities are delivered by a chair and an international group of volunteer women in science and education.
Prioritizing women in science and education
While progress is being made to increase their involvement across different fields, women are still underrepresented in the broader science, technology and education sectors. Significant differences related to gender persist throughout academic careers across almost all countries. Despite comprising a majority in the global health and the pharmaceutical workforce, women still lack representation in leadership and decision-making roles.
FIPWiSE is delivered as part of FIP’s wider portfolio on equity and equality in pharmacy, known as EquityRx, which supports the global implementation of FIP Development Goal 10 – Equity and Equality. It also aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 – Gender Equity.
Objectives
- Building confidence in competence for women in pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy education to help them achieve their full potential;
- Identifying inequities and needs of women in science and education, in order to suggest possible solutions;
- Highlighting exceptional women in science and education who have achieved success, made important innovations or other significant impacts, or have reached outstanding milestones in their careers;
- Supporting collaboration, mentorship and networking opportunities for young professional women to attract and empower them into science, education and leadership positions;
- Promoting workforce development, ongoing education, training and career advancement opportunities;
- Supporting positive practice environments for women in science and education.
Chairs
Name-Surname, Country | Terms |
Assoc. Prof. Bahijja Raimi-Abraham, UK | 2024 – 2027 |
Prof. Claire Thompson, UK | 2020 – 2023 |

Contact
To find out more about FIPWiSE and its working group, please click the menus to the right side or contact equity@fip.org.