February 15, 2024 9:21 am EDT

[Sydney, February 12, 2024] —To celebrate the International Day for Women’s and Girls in Science, Franklin Women, the leading social enterprise championing women in the health and medical research ecosystem, is partnering with Organon, a life sciences business dedicated to women’s health, to kick-off its newest initiative, Members Connect. These intimate meetups reflect our group’s commitment to advancing the careers of women and increasing their participation in the sector.

Whilst many women begin their careers in the health and medical sciences, few reach leadership positions across the sector, and as career progression stagnates many leave the sector altogether.

Franklin Women’s core mission is to create a health and medical research ecosystem where women can thrive, retaining their talent and expertise. The Members Connect events represent an innovative approach toward achieving this goal, bringing together diverse women in the sector to cultivate stronger professional networks. Additionally, these events provide a platform for women to engage in discussions concerning industry trends and pioneering programs, offering them insights and opportunities otherwise inaccessible.

Dr Melina Georgousakis, Founder and Director of Franklin Women highlights the uniqueness of their membership, commenting, “Franklin Women members bring diverse experiences and skills from across the health and medical research ecosystem – from academic research to health policy and health technologies and more. By connecting these women outside of their day-to-day and linking them with innovative ecosystem partners, we are facilitating opportunities for them to thrive.”

The inaugural Members Connect event will be hosted by Organon, a the only global healthcare company of its size focused primarily on the health and wellbeing of women, , at their Sydney office.

This event holds particular significance following the Federal Government’s Senate Inquiry into Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and the recent announcement of an Australian-first inquiry into women’s pain in Victoria. A survey conducted in the state revealed that two in five respondents suffer from chronic pain, emphasising the critical need for initiatives addressing women’s health concerns and the pivotal role that workforce diversity plays in achieving this.

Nirelle Tolstoshev Managing Director of Organon ANZ stated, “Organon welcomes the opportunity to partner with Franklin Women and is excited to host this inaugural Members Connect event. Just 34 per cent of CEO and Head of Organisation roles in our biopharmaceutical sector are held by women – and whilst women tend to be well represented in middle management, they seem to be passed over for more senior opportunities. At Organon, we believe that by investing in the bright pipeline of innovators and empowering these women through collaborations such as these, we can drive real change in this area.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Organon’s dynamic environment, gaining insights into the company’s commitment to women’s health and contributing to discussions on emerging priorities in this space. These events will also be instrumental in breaking down silos between different stakeholders and contributing to the improvement of health outcomes in communities.

Members Connect meetups are free, but spaces are limited. Interested members are encouraged to register promptly to secure their spot at this exclusive event. Click here to register.

Franklin Women

Franklin Women is Australia’s only professional community dedicated to supporting the careers of women working across the health and medical research ecosystem.

Learn more and become a member here

Organon

Organon is a global healthcare company with a mission to deliver impactful medicines and solutions for a healthier everyday.

Learn more