International Astronomical Union Women in Astronomy Working Group - XXXII IAU General Assembly 2024

Persistent systemic inequalities are observed for women in Astronomy and STEM fields throughout their professional journeys. Effectively addressing these challenges requires a proactive approach focused on raising awareness, supported by comprehensive statistical data. This approach is crucial for closely monitoring career hurdles and addressing underlying barriers to workplace equality, contributing significantly to rectifying the leaky pipeline effect and gender imbalances in STEM careers. The International Astronomical Union Women in Astronomy (IAU WiA) working group, an integral part of the IAU Executive Committee, is dedicated to increasing awareness of gender balance issues and the status of women in Astronomy. The group is committed to supporting the global aspirations of female astronomers and taking concrete actions to promote equal opportunities for both women and men in the field of astronomy. The acting IAU WiA Working Group has established a new organizing committee, unveiling a comprehensive four-point plan designed to strengthen various aspects of the group's mission. This plan includes: (i) Awareness Sustainability: Achieved through surveys and data collection. (ii) Training and Skill Building: Focused on professional development. (iii) Fundraising: To support key initiatives. (iv) Communication: Dissemination of results through conferences, WG Magazines, newsletters, and more. The purpose of this meeting is to provide an overview of focused surveys that illuminate factors influencing the careers of women in Astronomy, with a particular emphasis on the experiences of mothers. It highlights deficiencies in inclusive policies, equal hiring opportunities, and funding support to sustain the careers of women researchers in the field, further emphasizing that efforts have not effectively addressed the leaky pipeline phenomenon existing in Astronomy. Finally, the document summarizes the specific initiatives undertaken by the IAU WiA Working Group to advance inclusivity and equal opportunities in Astronomy.