Women in science are achieving groundbreaking research across the world. But despite their involvement, their dedication to research, and their discoveries, women still represent only around 33% of researchers, and less than 4% of Nobel Prizes for science have been awarded to women. In addition, only 11% of senior research roles are held by women in Europe. Their work rarely gains the recognition it deserves.

However, different institutions and organizations are fighting to encourage women to take a scientific career, to recognize their merits in sciences (IUPAC, L’Oreal, UNESCO, UN etc.) and to advocate the cause of women in science. We can cite Audrey Azoulay, General Director of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, who said “by advancing the cause of women, we can drive progress in science”.

If, in 2024, we still have special prizes to help empower more women scientists and to recognize women’s scientific excellence, this means that we still have a lot of work to do to reach gender equality and to encourage young girls to pursue a scientific career. Women scientists still need to fight to be judged purely on the merit of their discoveries and the potential of their work to change the world.

In this context, the editorial board of the Compte Rendus Chimie of the Academy of Sciences has decided to have a special issue to highlight the scientific achievements of women chemists in France in different areas of chemistry and to encourage younger generations to pursue careers in chemistry. This issue brings together 12 outstanding contributions in different fields of chemistry.

In 2025, a second issue is planned and we do hope that the Compte Rendus of the Academy of Sciences will act as spokespersons for women scientists in France in various fields.

For this 2024 special issue, I would like to thank P. Braunstein for enthusiastically accepting my proposals, Justine Fabre and Julien Desmarets for all their help and advice in producing this special issue. Thanks also to all the authors and co-authors for their willingness to take part in the adventure. I hope that this special issue will be a source of inspiration for readers and that it will lead to new collaborations.

Janine Cossy

ESPCI Paris

PSL University

France

janine.cossy@espci.fr