Cancun Celebrates Women in Science – Inspiring Events Ahead

UNESCO reports that less than 30% of global researchers are women. In Mexico, the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO) notes that 494,753 women are enrolled in science and technology programs. Laura Rojas, a representative from Cancun's Planetario Kayoc, announced that a series of events will take place from February 8th to 11th to honor the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Rojas revealed that the planetarium often attracts young girls with an interest in science and offers special programs to cater to their curiosity. She acknowledged the ongoing challenges women face in science, including gender bias, wage gaps, and limited career advancement opportunities. However, she also highlighted the positive shift in representation, with women comprising 24% of engineering students and 28% of postgraduate students.

Recent years have seen women make up 52.5% of the population in science and technology, compared to 44.1% of men. In 2020, the Quintana Roo state government launched the "Women in Science" program, offering financial support of up to 150,000 pesos to the top ten research projects led by women in engineering, mathematics, and humanities.

The four-day event aims to celebrate the contributions of women in science, inspire future generations, and promote discussions on gender equality in research and innovation. The program kicked off with a lecture titled "From Curiosity to Innovation" by Dr. Ana María Valenzuela Muñiz, who emphasized that a love for science is born from a desire to understand the world around us.

While the events primarily target young girls, they are also open to teenagers and adult women. Workshops include "The Origins of Life," "Mission H2O," "Unveiling the Invisible Universe," "Marie Curie's Laboratory," and "Intrepid and Aeronautics," among others. Additional activities, such as solar astronomical observation, are also available.

Other institutions, like the University of the Caribbean, are also supporting women in science with programs that provide full sponsorship for women pursuing engineering degrees.