Where are the women?

Leaders and commentary, book reviews, and news features in Nature's special package of stories dedicated to the conundrum of women in science.

Science remains institutionally sexist. Despite some progress, women scientists are still paid less, promoted less frequently, win fewer grants and are more likely to leave research than similarly qualified men. This special issue of Nature takes a hard look at the gender gap — from bench to boardroom — and at what is being done to close it.