Each February 11Spain strongly joins the International Day of Women and Girls in ScienceThis event has become a fixture on the educational, scientific, and social calendar. Institutions, universities, museums, city councils, and media outlets offer a wide range of activities to help girls and young women see science as a viable and accessible path.
The anniversary, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2015It seeks to guarantee the full and equal participation of women and girls in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). In Spain, this goal translates into hundreds of initiatives spread throughout the territory, from large research organizations to educational centers in small towns.
The impetus from the Ministry of Science and state agencies
El Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU) It is once again at the center of the commemoration, coordinating and supporting more than 200 in-person and virtual activities deployed by its agencies and dependent entities. Talks, workshops, exhibitions, educational visits, meetings with scientists and outreach activities are aimed at audiences of all ageswith a clear message: science needs more diversity to be better.
Despite the progress documented in reports such as "Women in Science in Figures 2025"The Ministry insists that Active policies are still necessary To eliminate inequalities, improve working conditions, and increase the presence of women in scientific leadership positions. The goal is to build a higher-quality science that includes, recognizes, and does not discriminate against women at any stage of their careers.
In this context, one of the highlights is the meeting scheduled for February 10 at the National Museum of Science and Technology (MUNCYT) of Alcobendaswhere the minister Diana morant She will speak with three leading women in science to 6th grade students. This activity aims to enable students to ask working scientists directly what their work is like, what difficulties they have faced, and what motivates them to continue researching.
under the motto "We all do science", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) has prepared more than 220 proposals distributed across various autonomous communities. Among them, the following stand out: "Routes with female scientists" through the Chamberí neighborhood in Madrid, the activity «Hidden» at the National Museum of Natural Sciences or the premiere of the play "Doro", which pays tribute to the researcher Dorothea Barnes, one of the forgotten figures of Spanish science.
The CSIC program is complemented by exhibitions such as «The mother of science» in Catalonia or "Oceanic women: pioneers of oceanography" at the CSIC Science House in Valencia, in addition to a campaign on urban furniture in Granada and the tour of the documentary theater production "I was born in a row of beans"which tours different cities. In addition, there is a virtual event linked to the Hi Score Science educational video game, the series of short films "With a Girl's Voice" and the comic book contest "Scientists investigating eclipses", promoted by the Institute of Physics of Cantabria.
Innovation, health and energy with a gender perspective
In the field of applied research and technology transfer, the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI) celebrates a day entitled "Innovation and Technology Transfer with a Gender Perspective", organized together with the CSIC and the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office (OEPM)The meeting, in a hybrid format, brings together Representatives from companies, the scientific community, and public administrations to discuss how to integrate gender equality into R&D projects and public-private collaboration.
In the field of health, the Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII) deploys a program with visits from primary school students to its Majadahonda CampusResearchers from the institution give talks on Biomedical research and the role of women in health science, completed with entry to laboratories where the school group can closely observe equipment, samples and work processes.
The ISCIII is also strengthening its presence on social media with educational videos featuring women from the institutionwho explain their daily lives in the first person and send motivational messages to girls and young women interested in research. Entities linked to the institute, such as the National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), which organizes an event aimed at educational centers to create vocations supported by female role models.
El National Center for Oncology Research (CNIO) focuses its contribution on the day "Solutions for inclusive leadership", where it is analyzed How to get more women into positions of responsibility in cancer research. For its part, the Networked Biomedical Research Center (CIBER) prepare a series of videos with the slogan "Debunking 11 myths about women in science", which addresses persistent stereotypes and proposes data-based arguments to combat them.
In the field of energy and technology, the Energy, Environmental and Technological Research Center (CIEMAT) he organizes his X CIEMAT Conference on Women and Girls in Science throughout February. It is a comprehensive program for students of ESO, Baccalaureate and Vocational Training, with activities on the center's own premises: a scientific treasure hunt Science Hunt Guided by researchers, the intergenerational meeting CONNECTED between pioneers and new generations of scientists, and visits to National Fusion Laboratory.
Outside its headquarters, CIEMAT participates in initiatives open to the public such as Appetizers with scientists, the AEMENER STEM Careers Fair or the online sessions Girls in Controlaimed at female students aged 12 to 16. Furthermore, it strengthens the presence of female researchers in its outreach programs. "CIEMAT at your school", «pequeCIEMAT», "CIEMAT in your neighborhood" and in a new edition of ConversaCienciabringing science closer to neighborhoods and schools.
Campaigns to inspire female role models in science
La State Research Agency (AEI) launches a campaign focused on to inspire scientific vocations among girls and young womenhighlighting the essential contribution of women to knowledge generation. The initiative, driven by its Strategic Group for Equality, gathers 16 audiovisual testimonies from researchers in different disciplineswho tell which women motivated them to dedicate themselves to science: from historical pioneers to teachers, mentors or researchers from their close environment.
In the space field, the Spanish Space Agency (AEE) drives outreach and educational activities to encourage interest in technology careers. These include a talk at an educational center in the province of Alicante and a exhibition of panels dedicated to Women role models in astronomy, science and spacedesigned to help students identify models in fields as diverse as astrophysics, aerospace engineering, or planetary exploration.
Also in the field of astronomy, the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC) Design a specific program for this anniversary. One of its central actions is the "Editathon 11F", developed together with Wikimedia Spain, To Create and improve articles about female astronomers on Wikipedia and to correct the historical invisibility in digital encyclopedias. This is complemented by the eighth edition of "Talk to Them: Women in Astronomy", an educational project that It connects researchers with schools throughout Spain. through talks, video conferences and interactive activities.
The CaixaForum centers of the “la Caixa” Foundation They also participate in the commemoration with free activities that celebrate the contributions of leading female scientists and the work of current researchers. CaixaForum Madrid A meeting is planned between two specialists from fields such as physics and aeronautical innovation. Cecilia Hernández Rodríguez y Silvia Lazcano Ureña, who will share their journeys with the public.
The activity of National Museum of Science and Technology (MUNCYT)The MICIU-affiliated program is expanding throughout February with a special free program. At the headquarters of Alcobendas they develop extraordinary guided tours to the permanent exhibition with special attention to the contribution of female scientists throughout history, in addition to the talk "Are we equal in science?", in collaboration with the CSIC, and the colloquium "Four female readings of the cosmos from archaeoastronomy".
Universities: classrooms, laboratories and female role models
Spanish universities take advantage of February 11th to open their classrooms and laboratories and to demonstrate in a practical way what the research entails. In the Alcoy Campus of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV)The International Day of Women and Girls in Science provides the framework for a session of Master's Degree in Textile Engineering, within the subject of Smart Textiles.
In this session, the students participate in the practice of "Halochromic textiles", coordinated by the professor and researcher Raquel Belda, where it is shown how chemistry, materials physics and engineering combine to develop tissues that They change color in response to certain stimuli.The experience allows us to see how research is integrated into university teaching and how the presence of female research professors acts as a direct reference for students.
Within the cycle "They talk about science" From the same campus, interviews with the researchers are being disseminated. Francisca Sempere y Josefa Mula, established figures in their respective fields who recount their academic trajectory, challenges and motivationsThese online resources are intended to reach not only university students but also girls in earlier educational stages who are deciding on their professional future.
In Andalusia, the University of Granada (UGR) It organizes a wide-ranging program for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, with 78 educational and outreach activities in which they participate 75 researchers and that will bring together around 4.000 students from 73 educational centers in the provinceThese are talks in schools, workshops, meetings and guided tours designed to showcase the diversity of fields in which the female scientists of the UGR work.
The main activity planned for the February 11 is a group photograph The meeting is open to researchers, professors, technicians, administrative staff, and students of the institution. The meeting will be held at... Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, on the Cartuja campusand will be assisted by Marga Sánchez Romero, Vice-Rector for Cultural Extension, Heritage and Institutional Relations and responsible for the Scientific Culture and Innovation Unit, accompanied by other Vice-Rectors.
On that same day, special visibility will be given to The finalists of the science communication monologue competition for students, "Those who will tell the science": Martina González López, Lorena Lago Ynolopu y Marina Valenzuela AragónPrimary, secondary and high school students who are shaping up to be the new generation of science communicators and they embody the future of research in terms of equality.
Local councils and educational centers: science at the local level
Beyond the major research centers, numerous town halls and educational centers They are taking advantage of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science to develop local initiatives. CaceresThe City Council is scheduling a day in the UEX Space the motto "Gender bias in Artificial Intelligence", in collaboration with the Municipal Institute of Social Affairs, the Scientific Culture Dissemination Service of the University of Extremadura and the OKOLA association.
The councillor for Women, Encarna Solís, emphasizes that the goal is to highlight the value of women working in STEM and to promote practices that lead to equality in science and technology. The program includes an opening lecture by the Extremaduran professor and academic. Pilar GalanEntitled "Born to see, but not educated to look", followed by the intervention of Iolanda OgandoProfessor and researcher in post-literature, with the presentation "The imprint of women in public space".
The day also includes debate tables where the public and scientists discuss how to educate for equality, avoid gender bias in language, to facilitate women's access to scientific careers and to bring technology closer to girls. In parallel, science workshops taught by female researchers are scheduled. University of Extremadura for children accompanying adults, with proposals such as "Discovering the brain: science in action", "Sensations and movement", "Biochemistry in action: the science of food and life" y "Movement with Purpose: Science, Exercise and Cancer Prevention"All activities are free, although they require pre-registration due to limited capacity.
En Lebrija (Seville), the City Council and the institutes of the municipality launch an original educational escape room qualified "Spanish Women Scientists with a C for science"aimed at 1st year ESO students. They are held 14 sessions with the participation of more than 400 jóvenes, integrated within the co-education program to commemorate February 11. The Delegate for Equality, María LabradorHe explains that the goal is to publicize the trajectory of Spanish women in the scientific world, creating female role models in STEM fields.
This escape room presents the story of several female scientists who have carried out contributions of great relevance that, nevertheless, remain little knownThe students, through experiments, word games and mathematical activities, must solve six tests to to symbolically “liberate” these researchers from a locked box that holds a final prize. The activity is adapted to the diversity of the classroom, so that the whole group can participate actively.
Also at the local level, the Teruel-Dinópolis Paleontological Foundation organizes activities related to the anniversary for approximately 40 students from the 4th year of ESO at IES Vega del Turia. The first, "Science leaves its mark"It is in charge of the paleontologists Ana González y Andrea Guarido, which use high-quality replicas and fossil remains to explain how dinosaur footprints allow us to reconstruct their behavior and environment.
The second activity, "The great predators of the Miocene"It is developed directly in a laboratory of the Dinópolis Foundation, where the restorers Rachel Ferrer y Maria Silvestre They demonstrate the process of fossil restoration and conservation. Subsequently, the researcher Gema Siliceo It addresses the study of fossil carnivorous mammals, such as saber-toothed cats and large hyenas, relying on skull casts and explanations about their biology and hunting strategies.
In the municipality of Candelaria (Tenerife), the City Council organizes the informative day "Where ideas are born: Women" at the Cine Viejo Cultural Space. The goal is to make visible the role of women in scientific and technological careersto bring role models closer to young people and inspire new vocations. The Councillor for Equality, Olivia PerezShe emphasizes the importance of girls "seeing up close women who are already building the future through science and technology."
The program is structured in two blocks. The first, "Science and technology in action", presents cryptography and cybersecurity projects from the group CRYPTULL (ULL), coordinated by the professor Pino Caballero Gil; research in environmental toxicology by the TACNMCF group; and geological engineering and water-related innovation work by the group ENGINEERINGThe second block, "Looking to the past, understanding the planet"It focuses on archaeological research and climate change, with the participation of the group AMBI, led by the researcher Carolina Mallol Duqueand of the project CHANGE about the climate in the Canary Islands.
The day concludes with a discussion featuring four women in STEM fields recognized by the Candelaria City Council for their career achievements and outreach work: María Magariños Triviño, specialist in pharmaceutical technology and 3D printing of medicines; Indira Delgado Suárez, toxicology researcher; Hilke Ziefuss Werner, commercial airline pilot with international experience; and María del Pilar Coello TorresA psychologist specializing in career guidance and employability with a focus on equality. They all offer very specific accounts of how scientific and technological careers are built from the Canary Islands.
Media and global anniversary
Public media are also joining in the celebration, reinforcing the idea that science and gender equality are part of the social debateIn Andalusia, the space "Conscience" on Canal Sur Television It broadcasts a special program dedicated to the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The broadcast begins with a video reviewing current figures on the gender gap in research and shows how, despite progress, significant inequalities persist in positions of responsibility, funding, and recognition.
After that initial block, the program offers a debate between two astrophysicists from the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA), Yolanda Jiménez Teja y Pepa MasegosaBoth are coordinators of the center's Equality Committee. Through their personal experiences, they analyze the obstacles that female scientists still face, work-life balance, the impact of stereotypes and strategies to ensure that the female presence in astrophysics is no longer an exception.
The special also includes a report on the project IMPACT, an initiative of the Carlos III Health Institute that will monitor the Spanish population in aspects of health and lifestyle to create a large database to support precision preventive medicine. The program also emphasizes the participation of women researchers This project demonstrates that the medicine of the future is also being designed with female talent.
At the international level, the United Nations recalls that February 11th is intended to be a day of reflection and action. to highlight the fundamental role of girls and women in science and ensure their access and participation at all levels. The current edition is structured around the official motto «From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap», which calls for moving from declarations of intent to concrete actions to reduce the gender gap in science and technology, a message that Spain is trying to convey to its educational, research and social fabric.
Taken together, the sum of activities promoted by ministries, scientific bodies, universities, city councils, foundations and media outlets shows that the International Day of Women and Girls in Science has become a great social laboratory where formulas are tested to awaken vocations, generate role models, and challenge stereotypes. Although structural inequalities persist, the volume and diversity of initiatives taking place in Spain indicate that science with a female face is gaining ground in classrooms, laboratories, television studios, and town and city squares.
