The value of female leadership on International Women’s Day

Sunday (8 March) is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. In pharmacy, women make up 65% of the global workforce (projected to be 69% by 2030) yet they continue to face barriers to leadership, according to the International Pharmaceutical Federation’s (FIP) 2025 global situation report on pharmacy.

The Pharmacist's Emily Warner spoke to female leaders across the sector to find out why it’s important to see women in leadership positions, and who their female role models are.

Layla Moran MP, chair of the health and social care select committee

I think in one of my first evidence sessions the then CEO of NHS England agreed that the NHS is misogynistic. We have seen over and over again women’s voices not heard, from the Hughes report to maternity and Diethylstilbestrol (DES) scandals. The hardest thing for policy makers to influence is culture and I firmly believe if we want the NHS to serve the whole population well, it needs to have a patient-centric approach that listens to under listened-to voices. This factor was especially stark in our Black Maternal Health report.

I was inspired to go into politics by Shirley Williams. An incredible Liberal Democrat, formerly the Labour education secretary, who brought incisiveness and intellect to whatever she did. But she also had enormous empathy and put her family first. She showed me I didn’t have to compromise on either my values or my humanity to be a politician. In fact, I see these as assets.

Abundance Temile, vice president of the UK Black Pharmacist Association (UKBPA)

Representation shapes what people believe is possible. It does more than just inspire; it expands what people view as attainable. When women are visible in leadership positions it normalises the idea that leadership, especially in the pharmacy and life sciences sector, is not limited by gender and encourages the next generation to ultimately aim higher.

Throughout my career I have been fortunate to encounter many inspiring women, both formally and informally. What has stood out most is the consistency with which they lead with integrity, resilience, and a deep commitment to patient care and professional progress.

When women are visible in leadership positions it normalises the idea...and encourages the next generation to ultimately aim higher

One of my early career female role models, was a Director of HR and my mentor. Observing how she navigated complex organisational environments with clarity, professionalism, and empathy demonstrated that strong leadership and human-centred leadership are not mutually exclusive.

Her example has shaped my own approach to leadership recognising that influence is not only about decision-making and strategy, but also about creating environments where people feel respected, supported, and able to perform at their best.

Sukhi Basra, vice chair of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA)

When I became Vice Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, the first woman to hold this role in the organisation's history, I felt something I didn't immediately have words for. Pride, yes. Gratitude, absolutely. But also, a sense of responsibility that extended beyond me.

I thought of every pharmacist who has ever felt invisible. Every woman who wondered if there was room for her voice. Every person of colour who has been told, in a thousand subtle ways, that leadership looks different than they do.

Being a "first" is not a trophy. It's a trust. And what I've learned this year is that carrying that trust means showing up whole, not as a perfect leader, but as a human one

Being a "first" is not a trophy. It's a trust. And what I've learned this year is that carrying that trust means showing up whole, not as a perfect leader, but as a human one. With my Shropshire accent. My Indian heritage. My curiosity. My tired days and my joyful ones. My cultural values and my professional convictions, woven together, not held apart.

I have three or four women in pharmacy who have been pivotal to the success of my own journey: Reena Barai, Shilpa Shah, Sehar Shahid, and my pharmacy team Helen Yohannes and Zaneta Dobias. But there are countless others who [have supported me with their] warmth and nurturing nudges to put myself forward for anything and to say yes to things! They also remind me when I can say no and keep space for myself.

Sehar Shahid, director and superintendent pharmacist of 24hr Pharmacy

Seeing women in leadership within pharmacy and the life sciences is essential – not symbolic, but structural.

Pharmacy is a profession with a predominantly female workforce, yet leadership positions, board roles and large-scale investment decisions have not always proportionately reflected that reality. When women are visible in senior clinical, commercial and strategic roles, it reshapes what is considered possible. It influences policy, investment priorities, research focus and ultimately patient outcomes.

Women leaders also bring important perspectives to areas such as digital healthcare innovation, governance, patient safety and women’s health – all of which are rapidly evolving sectors within pharmacy. Representation is not about tokenism; it is about ensuring decision-making reflects the lived experiences of both the workforce and the patients we serve.

What has inspired me most is not a single title or achievement, but women who have been courageous in spaces where they were not always expected to lead

I have been fortunate to learn from a number of strong women across different stages of my career — from clinical mentors who demonstrated uncompromising professionalism, to female entrepreneurs who showed that ambition and integrity can sit side by side.

What has inspired me most is not a single title or achievement, but women who have been courageous in spaces where they were not always expected to lead. Women who have asked difficult questions in boardrooms, who have built businesses in highly regulated environments, and who have continued to advocate for patients while navigating commercial realities.

Dame Chi Onwurah, chair of the science, technology and innovation select committee

I grew up in in Newcastle, suffering from what I call Marie Curie syndrome, which is the inability to name more than one female scientist or engineer. There were no female role models back then and there was a lack of recognition for the achievements of women.

Women have done extraordinary things in the life sciences sector, and celebrating that normalizes women and girls being in science – that's really important to ensure young girls have a free choice of career.

I grew up in in Newcastle, suffering from what I call Marie Curie syndrome, which is the inability to name more than one female scientist or engineer

I think my mother was inspiring. She wasn’t a scientist, but she was a feminist. And she always made it clear that I could achieve whatever I wanted to. She was my inspiration when I chose a field of work that was not common for girls.