In the 18 years since the program has been in existence, 92 distinguished laureates have been honored, and 2,438 talented women have been celebrated for their outstanding accomplishments which have contributed to making the world a better place.

For this year, 5 women will be recognized from Africa and the Arab States, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and North America.

Professor Elizabeth H. Blackburn, 2008 Laureate L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science and 2009 winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, is the President of the Jury for this year, as well as the first woman to head the jury since the awards was created in 1998.

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Each of the five women will be awarded in March 24, 2016 at the Grand Amphitheatre of the Sorbonne in Paris, France. They will also receive a prize of €100,000 each as a reward for their contribution to science.

Here are the five women below: