International Women’s Day: Read the She Figures 2024 report on the state of gender equality
A new report that uses open data to monitor the state of gender equality in the European Research Area
March 8 marks International Women’s Day, with this year’s theme: ‘For All women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment’. The theme emphasises breaking down barriers and ensuring that every woman and girl, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive. By amplifying the voices of marginalised communities and addressing systemic inequalities, International Woman’s Day 2025 aims to create a world where every woman and girl can realise her full potential.
In conjunction with this celebration and the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the European Commission has released the She Figures 2024 report, a comprehensive analysis of gender equality in research and innovation across Europe. The report highlights significant progress in closing gender gaps in education and employment but also underscores the continuous challenges women face in advancing to leadership positions. The She Figures 2024 report is recommended for policy makers, researchers, and anyone with an interest in these issues.
One of the key introductions to the report is the She Figures Index, a new metric designed to track progress on gender equality in research and innovation. The indicators for the score are based on pipeline segregation, research sectors, career progression, decision-making, research participation, and the incorporation of a gender dimension in research and innovation content. Statistical correspondents from EU Member States and associated countries contribute to the data collection. Many indicators are also provided by Eurostat data (such as Education Statistics, EU Labour Force Survey, Human Resources in Science and Technology).
Many of these data sources are findable on the data.europa.eu portal and can be freely accessed and used in research. Discover the infographic with the main findings, the policy report, and the handbook of She Figures 2024, and improve your understanding of the current gender landscape.
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