International Women’s Day 2026: When we give women of childbearing age the data they deserve, we all gain

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, #GiveToGain, encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration. It reflects a principle that has shaped my work at UCB for more than a decade: being committed to generating data where none previously exist and sharing our approach so others can build on it. Over time, I have seen how giving this level of focus and transparency leads to meaningful gains in trust, confidence and care.

During my early days at UCB, I was struck by a stark reality: for women of childbearing age living with a chronic disease, the evidence needed to support treatment decisions was often missing. Women and their healthcare providers were often navigating critical choices without reliable data. The consequences were profound, with important medical decisions shaped by uncertainty rather than evidence.

At UCB, we believe women deserve better throughout their reproductive years. That means protecting patients through research, not from research, by intentionally including them in studies and generating the rigorous evidence needed to support informed decision-making so that no one is left behind. 

Breaking the cycle of exclusion

For too long, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding have been automatically excluded from research. This has led to a common misunderstanding that medicines cannot be used during these life stages unless there is specific data available. In reality, this creates a circular problem: clinicians want data before prescribing, yet the populations who need the data are often excluded from generating them. 

Breaking that cycle requires leadership and transparency. Early in our journey, UCB undertook dedicated studies in women of childbearing age, including lactation research that was uncommon at the time. In 2016, we were invited to present our approach at an FDA workshop, offering practical insights and real‑world industry examples on how such studies can be designed and conducted responsibly. 

Our commitment did not end there. We continue to advance research in women of childbearing age across our portfolio and share our evolving learnings with regulators, industry peers and the broader scientific community. 

We share these insights because progress in this space cannot be siloed. Inclusion must become standard practice, not an exception. That is #GiveToGain in action: actively sharing knowledge, challenging legacy thinking and raising the standard for women’s health across the industry. 

What early investment has achieved 

Early investment in research also reflects the spirit of this year’s International Women’s Day. By committing time, resource and scientific focus to women of childbearing age, we have helped build confidence among patients, healthcare professionals and regulators who recognise that inclusion must be deliberate and sustained. Sharing our approach has also helped catalyse wider global collaboration in pregnancy and lactation research, strengthening the ecosystem beyond just one organisation. 

Most importantly, the impact is visible in clinical settings. Women living with chronic disease are increasingly initiating conversations about family planning and treatment continuity, and healthcare professionals are becoming better equipped to support shared decision-making grounded in evidence rather than assumption. 

There is growing recognition that continuity of care across life stages is not optional – it is essential. Women living with a chronic disease should not have to choose between managing their disease and family planning without clear, reliable information. 

Giving more to gain 

While progress has been meaningful, there is more to do. 

In the future, I hope to see a much larger proportion of women living with chronic disease having access to relevant data earlier in the drug development process, rather than waiting years after approval for evidence to emerge. 

The anticipated ICH E21 guideline on inclusion of pregnant and breastfeeding individuals in clinical trials represents an important step forward. With clearer global expectations, we have an opportunity to reduce the delay between the approval of new treatments and the availability of evidence that women can rely on. 

This International Women’s Day, my reflection is simple: closing data gaps requires intention, persistence and partnership. When we give women accurate, meaningful data, we gain more than insight. We gain trust. We gain stronger science. And we move closer to a more equitable standard of care at every stage of life. 

#GiveToGain