International Women's Day

Women have historically been underrepresented in science, even though some notable exceptions cause us to lose sight of the reality of the numbers. For example, Marie Curie, who won two Nobel Prizes, and Rosalind Franklin, whose work was crucial in discovering the structure of DNA, are two examples that stand out among the tiny percentage of women who have won science's highest honor, which has been awarded to 894 men and only 60 women to date. In university and research careers, top positions are occupied by a minority of women, while in the early stages of careers there is parity.

With continued support for gender equality in science, women are increasingly empowered to lead projects and teams, take on leadership roles, and start their own businesses. However, there is still much to be done to ensure that women have the same opportunities and resources to advance their scientific careers fairly and equally. Policies for inclusion and gender equality, leadership mentoring programs for women scientists, and increased awareness of the importance of diversity in science are needed to build a different, more diverse, and inclusive future for women, ensuring that they have the same opportunities and resources to thrive in their scientific careers. It is also important to recognize and celebrate the achievements of women in science and inspire the next generation of young women scientists.

At FCT, we are mindful of women who have been away from their scientific activities for an extended period of time due to maternity leave. That is why we created the RESTART Programme , which will offer science funding opportunities to young mothers, without forgetting fathers who have opted for shared leave. It is a small step, but it is a meaningful incentive.

Madalena Alves
President of FCT