Voice of Female Researchers Silenced by COVID-19

Abstract

Female underrepresentation in leading authorship roles, namely first, last and corresponding author positions, impedes the ability of women researchers to progress up the academic ladder. This global issue of how gender disparity in academic authorship can hinder women's careers was introduced in a previous edition of *healthbook TIMES Oncology Hematology*.^1^ New evidence suggests that female researchers' voices were further silenced during the COVID-19 pandemic, as reflected by a study showing that fewer female scientists attained prominent authorship positions in published academic manuscripts, particularly in manuscripts related to COVID-19 research.^2^ Without immediate action, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic will potentially serve to broaden the academic publishing gender gap and negatively impact women’s career progression for years, possibly decades, to come. This issue is especially pertinent on the 2022 International Women’s Day with the adopted theme: “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”.