Emakumeak Zientzian highlights the power of every small step towards equality

Over 100 people headed this afternoon to the Bilborock concert hall for the start of the 9th edition of the Emakumeak Zientzian initiative in a festive atmosphere with the slogan “Hazia erein/Sow the seed”, highlighting how every small step can make a difference on the road towards equality in science. A video including testimonies from women scientists, teachers, students, representatives of the institutions, etc. who have experienced first-hand the importance of these small seeds of transformation was also screened, inviting reflection on the power of everyday steps to build a more egalitarian future.

The event was hosted by the actress Maitena Salinas who then moved on to a dramatized representation of the coordination team of Emakumeak Zientzian, which symbolized the germination process of the seed of science in the feminine. To mark the tenth anniversary of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the growth that the Emakumeak Zientzian initiative has seen was staged with the metaphor of a seed sown in 2017. What began with a small group of organizations has blossomed into a robust ecosystem by 2025. This evolution not only breaks stereotypes, but also strengthens science vocations in girls and young women, guaranteeing a future in which science may grow with equality and diversity. “Every seed sown is a step towards science that is more inclusive and more equitable. Together, we make change grow,” said the organizers of Emakumeak Zientzian.

To highlight how every small step can make a difference on the road to equality in science, the video for the Hazia Erein / Sow the Seed campaign was also presented; it included testimonies from female scientists, teachers, students and representatives of the institutions, such as Celia Rogero, director of the Materials Physics Centre (CFM CSIC-UPV/EHU), Itziar Astigarraga, head of the Paediatrics Department at Cruces University Hospital and researcher at Biobizkaia, Garazi Andonegi, coordinator of the Science Unit at Elhuyar, Marta Anza, head of studies at IES Botikazar, Naia Martin, 2nd year high school student at IES Botikazar, Alaitz Landaluze, general coordinator of Innovation Policies at Innobasque and Miren Elgarresta, director of Emakunde (Basque Institute for Women), highlighting their experiences and their commitment to gender equality in science.

“This inaugural event marks the beginning of a diverse, enriching programme that aims to make the role of women in science more visible and to continue to move towards a more equitable society,” the organizers of Emakumeak Zientzian stressed.

The Emakumeak Zientzian 2025 programme will be concentrated into the week from 7 to 14 February. An extensive programme of over 60 activities has been designed to cover the entire Basque Country and to highlight how small collective steps, which stay the course over time, can generate a transforming impact. “From the work of a female scientist to the spark of curiosity that ignites in a girl, each contribution is a seed that nurtures real, profound, sustainable change,” added the Emakumeak Zientzian organizers.

The full programme of activities is available at www.emakumeakzientzian.eus

The 35 organizations participating in the 9th edition of Emakumeak Zientzian are a representative sample of the Basque Country’s science and technology base: Achúcarro, BCMaterials, the Center for Materials Physics (CFM CSIC-UPV/EHU), CIC biomaGUNE, University of Deusto, UPV/EHU Computing, UPV/EHU Chemistry, Aranzadi Scientific Society, the Basque Artificial Intelligence Center (BAIC), Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), Basque Center for Applied Mathematics (BCAM), Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language (BCBL), BioBizkaia, Biodonostia, Ceit, CIC energiGUNE, CIC nanoGUNE, Cidetec, Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), Elhuyar, Kutxa Foundation, Bizkaia Biophysics Foundation (FBB), Ikerlan, Ingeniariak-Professional Association of Industrial Engineers of Gipuzkoa, Mondragon Faculty of Engineering (MEGP), Mubil, Technology Park of Euskadi-Basque Country, POLYMAT, Tecnalia, Tecnun, UPV/EHU Engineers, Vicomtech, CIC bioGUNE, ESS Bilbao and BBD BioPhenix SL-Biobide.

Emakumeak Zientzian 2025 has the significant support of the Chartered Provincial Councils of Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa, and Álava, Fomento San Sebastián, Bilbao Ekintza, Salto System, the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) and Ikerbasque as well as the collaboration of the following bodies and organizations: the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), the Spanish Research Agency through the Severo Ochoa and María de Maeztu centers as partners in the initiative, the Basque Film Library and the Donostia-San Sebastian International Film Festival, Biook, Skills4Science Laboratorium Bergara, Emakunde, Lemniskata and the Directorate for Equality of the UPV/EHU.