11 February 2026 | ESCMID News
ESCMID celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science by inspiring and supporting women to seek leadership roles in medicine and science.
Women bring different life experiences and perspectives to leadership roles and act as role models for future generations thereby sustaining a pipeline of impactful women in leadership roles in medicine and health - Annelies Zinkernagel (ESCMID Foundation Chairperson)
It is important for us to recognise the women in leadership roles and hear what they have to say about their own journeys and how they can inspire the next generation.
Women make up 80% of the global health workforce, yet hold only 25% of senior leadership positions. Empowering women to lead in medicine and science is not just a matter of equity — we need all the best people at the table to tackle the scale and complexity of global health challenges, from climate change to shifting demographics, in a rapidly evolving and interconnected world.
As a woman, I think the skills we need to build to become scientists and leaders are self-respect and commitment; self-respect, to prevent impostor syndrome in a clinical and scientific world still predominantly directed by male leaders, and to ignore societal norms that tend to push women out of leadership roles; commitment, to develop the strength to pursue our objectives against all odds and obstacles.
Other aspects that I feel are important to consider are: respect for others, rigour to be true to oneself, patience to wait for results, open-mindedness and curiosity to learn something new from each and every encounter, a vision that goes beyond oneself to the future generations, and many more. But without self-respect or commitment, these additional characteristics cannot exert their full effect.
Fortunately, in ESCMID, I have always found a thriving environment for women, the young and the more experienced. I would encourage every young woman interested in science at the foundation of infectious diseases care to find an ESCMID mentor to sustain them in their career; and the more experienced among us I call to help reinforce ESCMID's role in guaranteeing equal opportunities to all.
ESCMID is dedicated to supporting a wholistic view of education. This not only includes the classic post-graduate courses but also professional development workshops as well. The ESCMID Foundation for Education opened the first of these courses last year with one dedicated to building leadership skills for women in science.
The "Empowering women in leadership" course is your opportunity to unlock your leadership potential. This immersive 2-day course will strengthen your skillset to make sure that women’s voices are heard and influential in the dynamic field of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases. - Mary Horgan (ESCMID Education Director)
This course underpins the value that the Society has in promoting women in leadership roles in medicine and science. Building the leaders of tomorrow helps provide a strong and visible front where young girls can see themselves in the leadership roles in the fields of infection, medicine and science. ESCMID is extremely proud to offer this kind of education and is pleased to announce that the second edition of the “Empowering women in leadership” is planned for this May and registration is currently open. If you are interested in unlocking your own leadership potential, you can learn more on the course website.
Registration for ESCMID Global 2026 in Munich is now open.
Register now to get the early registration fee and attend the world’s most eminent event in the field of infection.
Early registration expires 23:59 CET on 11th of February.