Under the supervision of the Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Professor Dr. Sarmed H. Kathem Alkhateeb, the Women’s Affairs Unit at the University of Baghdad/College of Pharmacy held an in-person workshop entitled “From Classroom to Laboratory: Success Stories of Women in Pharmacy,” delivered by Lecturer Dr. Nedaa Abd Al hameed, a faculty member at the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department.
The lecture aimed to highlight the role of women in the advancement of pharmaceutical sciences and healthcare and to introduce successful female role models who have contributed to the development of medicines and medical sciences. It also sought to showcase their scientific achievements and their impact on serving society and improving healthcare. These objectives are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5 Gender Equality, which emphasizes the importance of empowering women and ensuring their full and effective participation in scientific and professional fields; Goal 4 Quality Education, through promoting lifelong learning and strengthening scientific capacities; and Goal 3 Good Health and Well-being, by supporting scientific and research efforts that contribute to the development of treatments and the improvement of healthcare services, thereby fostering sustainable development and societal progress.
The lecture included several topics, including an overview of the role of women in pharmacy and healthcare, highlighting the contributions of female scientists and pharmacists to the development of medicines, therapies, and medical research, and discussing the impact of women’s achievements on improving public health and quality of life. It also addressed the challenges women have faced throughout their scientific careers and explored ways to enhance their participation in research and innovation.
The lecture concluded that women have played a significant and influential role in the advancement of pharmaceutical and medical sciences and that the achievements of female scientists and pharmacists have contributed substantially to important developments in healthcare and to improving the lives of individuals and communities. The lecture further emphasized that the success stories of women serve as a source of inspiration for future generations and that supporting and empowering women while providing equal opportunities are fundamental pillars for promoting scientific research and innovation. Moreover, it highlighted the importance of strengthening women’s leadership roles within healthcare and pharmaceutical institutions, thereby contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the creation of a more prosperous and progressive future.
