Once again, the Basque Network of Technology Parks joins the “Women and girls in science” campaign
On the occasion of the “International Day of Women and Girls in Science” on 11 February, the Network of Technology Parks joins the anniversary with a number of different initiatives, maintaining its commitment to the goal of obtaining full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls
The Basque Network of Technology Parks works on the support and promotion of the role of the women who work in the fields of science and technology. In particular, the Network’s Strategic Plan includes different actions for achieving these goals; Working group on Equality with an annual Plan of objectives, Signing of the Inspira manifest, Visibility activities for professional women in science and technology in the Network of Parks or participation in the “Forum for Equality” promoted by Emakunde.
For 2021, and in spite of the restrictions due to COVID-19, the Network has set up or is taking part in the following initiatives:
Álava promotes female vocations in Science and Technology
Álava Provincial Council, the University of Deusto and the Basque Network of Technology Parks have renewed their support for INSPIRA STEAM. This programme seeks to encourage girls to choose studies in science and technology by means of mentoring sessions in schools led by female role models who work in this field. The proposed actions include awareness-raising activities directed at schools, families, the business network and society as a whole.
Science IS for girls
To commemorate 11 February, the Network of Parks is collaborating with EmakumeakZientzian 2021. Donostia International Physics Centre (DIPC), CIC nanoGUNE, the Material Physics Centre CFM (UPV/EHU-CSIC), CIC biomaGUNE, Biodonostia, Tecnun-School of Engineers, CEIT, Polymat and Elhuyar, the Faculty of Computing at the UPV/EHU and Eureka! Zientzia Museoa have joined forces with us to present a complete programme of activities directed at all members of the public. The aim is to give visibility to the activity of women in science, to break away from the typically masculine roles attributed to scientific and technological activities, and to promote the selection of science degrees among girls and teenagers. EmakumeakZientzian 2021 has the support of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, Fomento San Sebastián, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the Spanish Science and Technology Foundation (FECYT) and the Basque Network of Technology Parks.
Awareness campaigns on social media and internet
For the fourth year running, on 8 February the Network of Parks started the campaign for the visibility of female scientists who work at the companies and technology centres in the Álava, Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa Parks. Given the success of this campaign right from the start, the Network of Parks Web page has a specific section containing the profiles of the women who have taken part or are participating in this campaign.
Collaboration with schools
The Politeknika Txorierri and Gernika BHI centres wanted to take the exhibition of female scientists at the Network of Parks to their students. It is a travelling exhibition in which it is possible to meet the women who have made history in science together with the women of today who are carrying out important scientific work. The purpose of this exhibition is to contextualise the past and the present of these women and give them their rightful place.
