Emakumeak Zientzian underlines the power of every small action towards equality

The 9th edition of Emakumeak Zientzian kicks off in a festive atmosphere, highlighting how every small action can make a difference on the road to equality in science.

Thirty-five Basque organisations are jointly organising an extensive programme of more than 60 activities at the 9th edition of Emakumeak Zientzian.

More than 100 people came to Bilborock this afternoon to kick off the 9th edition of the Emakumeak Zientzian initiative in a festive atmosphere and under the slogan ‘Hazia erein/ Sow the seed’, highlighting how every small action can make a difference on the road to equality in science. In addition, a video has been presented that includes testimonies from scientists, teachers, students, institutional representatives… who have experienced first-hand the importance of these small seeds of transformation, inviting us to reflect on the power of everyday actions to build a more egalitarian future.

The actress Maitena Salinas was in charge of directing the event and gave way to a dramatised performance by the Emakumeak Zientzian coordination team, symbolising the process of germination of the seed of science in women. As part of the tenth anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the growth of the Emakumeak Zientzian initiative has been staged with the metaphor of a seed sown in 2017. What started with a small group of organisations has blossomed into a robust ecosystem by 2025. This evolution not only breaks down stereotypes, but also strengthens scientific vocations

in girls and young women, ensuring a future where science grows with equality and diversity. ‘Every seed planted is a step towards a more inclusive and equitable science. Together, we make change grow’, say the organisers of Emakumeak Zientzian.

In addition, the video of the Hazia Erein / Sow the Seed campaign was presented, highlighting how each small action can make a difference on the road to equality in science, which includes testimonies from women scientists, teachers, students and institutional representatives such as Celia Rogero, director of the Centre for Materials Physics (CFM CSIC-UPV/EHU), Itziar Astigarraga, head of the Paediatrics Service of the University of the Basque Country (CSIC-UPV/EHU), Itziar Astigarraga, head of the Paediatrics Service at Cruces University Hospital and Biobizkaia researcher, Garazi Andonegi, coordinator of the Elhuyar Science Unit, Marta Anza, head of studies at IES Botikazar, Naia Martin, 2nd Baccalaureate student at IES Botikazar, Alaitz Landaluze, general coordinator of Innobasque’s Innovation Policies and Miren Elgarresta, director of Emakunde, highlighting their experiences and commitment to gender equality in science.

‘This inaugural event marks the start of a diverse and enriching programme, with the aim of making the role of women in science more visible and continuing to make progress towards a more equitable society’, emphasise the organisers of Emakumeak Zientzian.

The Emakumeak Zientzian 2025 programme will be concentrated on the week of 7 to 14 February. An extensive programme of more than 60 activities has been designed, covering the entire territory of the Basque Country to highlight how small collective actions, persistent over time, generate a transformative impact. ‘From the work of a scientist to the spark of curiosity that ignites in a child, each contribution is a seed that nurtures real, profound and sustainable change’, adds the Emakumeak Zientzian organisation.

The full programme of activities is available on the website www.emakumeakzientzian.eus .

The 35 organisations taking part in the 9th edition of Emakumeak Zientzian. The 35 organisations taking part in the 9th edition of Emakumeak Zientzian are a representative sample of the science and technology fabric in the Basque Country: Achúcarro, BCMaterials, the Centre for the Physics of Materials (CFM CSIC- UPV/EHU), CIC biomaGUNE, University of Deusto, UPV/EHU Computer Science, UPV/EHU Chemistry, Aranzadi Zientzia Elkartea, Basque Artifcial Intelligence Center (BAIC), Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM), Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language (BCBL), Bio bizkaia, BioGipuzkoa, Ceit, CIC energiGUNE, CIC nanoGUNE, Cidetec, Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Elhuyar, Kutxa Fundazioa, Fundación Biofísica Bizkaia (FBB), Ikerlan, Ingeniariak-Colegio Oficial de Ingenieros Industriales de Gipuzkoa, Mondragon Goi Eskola Politeknikoa (MEGP), Mubil, Parque Tecnológico de Euskadi, POLYMAT, Tecnalia, Tecnun, UPV/EHU Ingenieros, Vicomtech, CIC bioGUNE, ESS Bilbao and BBD BioPhenix SL-Biobide.

Emakumeak Zientzian 2025 has the outstanding support of the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, the Provincial Council of Alava, Fomento San Sebastian, Bilbao Ekintza, Salto System, the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA) and Ikerbasque, as well as the collaboration of the following entities and organisations: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Fundación Española de Ciencia y Tecnología (FECYT), Agencia Estatal de Investigación through the Severo Ochoa and María de Maeztu centres adhered to the initiative, Filmoteca Vasca and the San Sebastian International Film Festival, Biook, Skills4Science, Laboratorium Bergara, Emakunde, Lemniksata and the UPV/EHU Equality Directorate.