Ambassador Aparici highlighted the increased presence of women in science and urged everyone to continue advancing gender equality and making science an equal and inclusive space. For her part, the Secretary General for Science, Eva Ortega Paíno, positively assessed the progress made in Spain and the government's feminist policies. There are increasingly more women in science, although she cautioned that they remain a minority in leadership positions.
Fayna García Martín, a professor at the University of La Rioja, presented the data from the White Paper published by RAICEX (Network of Spanish Research Associations and Scientists Abroad), which analyses the situation and gender policies in science in 14 countries with associations of Spanish scientists, and offers suggestions for further progress.
María José Martínez Bravo, a member of the CERU Women and Science Committee, moderated a round table discussion with Sara Mole, Iseult Lynch, Tania Ramos Moreno, Bella Starling, and Ortega Paíno. The discussion reviewed the role of women in research and academia, and the challenges to achieving greater equality.
Volunteers from CERU and the Secretary General for Science visited the Vicente Cañada Blanch Spanish Institute, where they conducted activities for students, sharing their experiences and encouraging them to explore scientific careers.