Women are the Key to Health Innovation

Media Gathering & Winner Announcement Women Researcher Darya Varia - D-STAR 2026 (Photo: Dok. Darya Varia)

JAKARTA - The development of the health world does not only depend on medicines and health products, but also on the progress of research and innovation. In this process, the involvement of women in the fields of science, pharmaceuticals, health technology, to artificial intelligence (AI) is an important part in creating solutions that meet the needs of the community.

However, the gender gap is still visible in the use of AI technology. Based on global data from Harvard Business School and Lean In, men are recorded as using generative AI 16-22 percent higher than women. Meanwhile, women only fill about 26 percent of AI specialist positions in the technology industry.

This condition shows the importance of expanding women's access to education, technology, research funding, leadership development, and professional networks.

"At the momentum of 50 years of Darya-Varia, we want to ensure that our contribution is not only through quality health products, but also through investment in talent that will shape the future of Indonesian health," said dr. Ian Kloer, President Director of PT Darya-Varia Laboratoria Tbk, quoted from the official statement on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

"We believe that women have a strategic role in driving innovation and the advancement of science, so it is important for the academic and industrial worlds to work together to create more opportunities for them to develop and lead," he added.

Collaboration between universities and industries is also considered to strengthen the research ecosystem. Academics provide space for students to develop science, while industry helps open opportunities for the application of research results in real life.

"The main challenge faced by female researchers is not in academic ability, but how to present an ecosystem that is able to support them to develop into researchers and leaders in the health sector," said Prof. Dr. apt. Ilma Nugrahani, Seminar of the Indonesian Pharmacists Association and Professor of the School of Pharmacy, Bandung Institute of Technology.

One of the efforts to support the development of female talent in the field of research is carried out through D-STAR 2026 (Darya-Varia Scholarship for Talented Aspiring Women Researchers).

Entering its third year, the program with the theme Empowering Women Researchers to Level Up as Future Leaders provides scholarships, research funding, leadership development, access to industry practitioners, and professional networking.

This year, one of the research focuses raised is the use of AI. The program also expands cooperation with universities by joining Pancasila University as a new partner, in addition to the University of Indonesia, Gadjah Mada University, Airlangga University, and the School of Pharmacy of the Bandung Institute of Technology.

"My journey started when I was a student of Pharmacy doing research on a laboratory scale, and today I am trusted to lead Growth Ventures at Darya-Varia. The experience taught me that Indonesian women have extraordinary abilities when given the opportunity to develop," concluded Astry Tri Astuti, Director of Growth Ventures PT Darya-Varia Laboratoria Tbk and D-STAR 2026 jury.

"We want to open more opportunities for women to grow as researchers, innovators, and future leaders. Because for Darya-Varia, empowering women is not just a theme, but part of the company culture that provides equal opportunities for women to lead and create impact." he continued.

With the support of inclusive education, technology, funding, and research environments, more women are expected to contribute to generating health innovations that are relevant and beneficial to the public in the future.