Following Bahraini Women’s Day earlier this month, Professor Ghufran Jassim, Head of Department and Associate Professor of Family Medicine, Member of the Equal Opportunities Committee, reflects on the growing influence and contributions of females in STEMM fields and the importance of evidence-informed policies that support women’s wellbeing and career progression.

In Bahrain, the number of women advancing into research, academia, healthcare and technology continues to rise. At RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, women play an integral role as educators, scientists, clinicians and innovators, who shape the future of healthcare in the Kingdom of Bahrain and contribute to international scholarship. Their impact is increasingly evident in both participation and leadership across science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) disciplines.

Understanding the STEMM Participation Gap

Despite progress, global evidence highlights a persistent pattern. Women demonstrate strong representation at undergraduate and early-career levels, in some STEMM disciplines reaching as high as 80 per cent. However, this representation declines significantly at later career stages. Worldwide, only one in three researchers is a woman, and women receive approximately half the citations of their male peers in high-impact journals. Reduced visibility, limited access to influential academic networks and systemic barriers contribute to this disparity.

In Bahrain, the landscape is more promising, with women comprising 47 per cent of academic faculty. Yet, local and international data converge in showing that women continue to encounter barriers as they progress toward senior academic, research, and leadership roles. These findings reaffirm the need for institutional structures that support and sustain women’s careers across all stages of the STEMM pipeline.

A Foundation for Sustainable Equity and Advancement

Supporting women in STEMM requires more than addressing participation gaps; it requires a comprehensive approach that aligns personal, organisational and professional factors. Evidence shows that career success is shaped by resilience and motivation, as well as supportive institutional policies and meaningful mentorship that enable long-term development.

By integrating these elements into our institutional practices, RCSI Medical University of Bahrain continues to foster an environment in which women can build sustainable, fulfilling and influential careers in academia, research and clinical practice.

The Change of Life (Peri/Menopause) Policy: A Holistic Approach to Wellbeing

The new Change of Life (Peri/Menopause) Policy introduced at RCSI Medical University of Bahrain represents a meaningful advancement in workplace wellbeing. Menopause and perimenopause are biological transitions that vary considerably among individuals, affecting energy levels, cognitive function, mood, and overall health.
Research indicates that a substantial proportion of women consider leaving employment due to the severity of symptoms, a loss that impacts individuals as well as the wider academic and healthcare sectors.

By formally recognising perimenopause and menopause as significant health transitions, RCSI Medical University of Bahrain provides a structured framework of support to ensure that colleagues navigating this stage of life do so within an environment that prioritises dignity, understanding and appropriate assistance. 
The Policy outlines practical adjustments, confidential support pathways, access to wellbeing services and guidance for managers on conducting sensitive and respectful conversations. 

Looking Ahead

In line with our mission to “educate, nurture and innovate for the benefit of human health”, the progress of women in STEMM at RCSI Medical University of Bahrain underscores both our responsibility and our commitment to cultivating the next generation of scientific leaders and ensuring that their pathways are shaped by opportunity, not barriers.