Madrid, February 29, 2024 — A new collaborative effort involving Spain’s Ministry of Health, the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (Aemps), the Federation of Spanish Scientific-Medical Associations (Facme), and Farmaindustria will systematically study women’s leadership—or lack thereof—in biomedical research, with a specific focus on clinical trials. This initiative aims to address a critical imbalance and ensure more equitable access to scientific leadership roles.
Addressing the Gender Gap in Clinical Research
A new project seeks to identify barriers preventing women from reaching leadership positions in Spanish biomedical research.
- The study, part of the #EnSaludNoSinMujeres program, will pinpoint factors contributing to the gender gap in clinical research.
- Findings will be presented next July, coinciding with the first anniversary of the #EnSaludNoSinMujeres initiative.
- Leaders emphasize that diverse scientific teams are essential for producing robust and socially relevant results.
- The initiative highlights the need for equal representation in clinical trial design and leadership.
The project, announced at a meeting held at the Ministry of Health in observance of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, is part of the broader #EnSaludNoSinMujeres program, which also includes participation from Women in Pharma. The core objective is to identify the factors that explain the gender gap in clinical research and develop concrete actions to promote greater equity in scientific responsibilities and decision-making positions.
“Science advances with evidence, not with assumptions; it advances with inclusion, not exclusion,” stated Juan Cruz Cigudosa, Secretary of State for Science, emphasizing that integrating the gender dimension into research is now a requirement within the European R&D framework. He powerfully asserted that “There will be no complete science or safe treatments for the entire population” without women leading clinical trials.
Early Disparities and Funding Imbalances
Cristina Avendaño, president of Facme, underscored the underrepresentation of women throughout the research process—from initial admission to securing grants and public project funding. Data from Womeds, Facme’s gender observatory, reveals that while women comprise 60% of the medical staff within Spain’s National Health System, they hold only slightly over 33% of service head positions.
Avendaño cautioned that this inequality originates in the early stages of a research career, directly impacting future leadership opportunities. “Less participation of women in research projects today limits their competitiveness tomorrow,” she explained, stressing the need to dismantle ingrained barriers hindering professionals’ access to strategic roles. Collaboration with the Carlos III Health Institute and Womeds data shows that public funding for research led by women in 2025 was 30% lower than that awarded to men, and women received less than 20% of concessions for Independent Clinical Research projects.
Quality, Safety, and the Importance of Diversity
María Jesús Lamas, director of Aemps, emphasized that addressing the gender gap isn’t solely about equity; it’s also crucial for scientific quality and regulatory assurance. She highlighted the necessity of developing medicines that ensure equivalent quality, security, and effectiveness for both men and women, spanning all phases from preclinical research to pharmacovigilance.
Lamas stressed that a diverse scientific community yields more precise, innovative, and useful results for the population. Ensuring adequate representation of women in clinical trial design and leadership is, therefore, essential for generating robust and socially relevant findings.
Industry Commitment and Systemic Challenges
Fina Lladós, president of Farmaindustria, highlighted the innovative pharmaceutical industry’s role in driving clinical research in Spain. She noted that women constitute 66% of the R&D workforce and three-quarters of jobs linked to clinical trial management. However, she emphasized that increased presence must translate into greater strategic leadership. “Science is our reason for being and it will only be truly excellent if it is diverse.”
Amelia Martín Uranga, director of Clinical and Translational Research at Farmaindustria, pointed out that Spain’s strong clinical trial sector has fostered talent export, with many Spanish women now leading clinical operations internationally. She reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to public-private collaboration to build a more competitive, diverse, and internationally aligned research ecosystem.
Javier Padilla, Secretary of State for Health, observed that each year’s discussions challenge participants to “find a new prism from which to analyze inequality, identify persistent barriers and avoid repeating the same diagnosis.” He cited ministry data showing that while six times more nurses are female than male, men still dominate management positions, demonstrating that feminization of a profession doesn’t automatically guarantee balanced leadership access.
Padilla reflected on the tradition of scientific objectivity rooted in Cartesian rationalism, which historically suggested that the researcher’s identity is irrelevant. “However, who asks the question determines where the focus is placed and what variables are studied,” he stated, arguing that equality amplifies scientific progress. He acknowledged that progress isn’t always linear and requires identifying barriers—such as the disproportionate impact of motherhood on a research career—to design effective, sustainable public policies.
