12/03/2026
With a call to strengthen public policies that allow more women to fully develop their professional careers, the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, CEDENNA, commemorated International Women’s Day with a session of reflection on female leadership in science and decision-making.
The activity took place in the Auditorium of the Research Centers Building of the Universidad de Santiago de Chile and was attended by university authorities, researchers, students and representatives of the scientific world.
The event was opened by the Pro-Rector of the Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Dr. Juan Escrig, who highlighted the importance of promoting spaces to reflect on the challenges women face in academia, research and the spheres where decisions relevant to the country’s development are made.
The central moment was the panel discussion “Women, science and decision-making: real experiences in spaces of power”, which brought together former Minister of Health and congresswoman Helia Molina, Mónica Antilén, CEDENNA researcher and director of the Institute for Sustainable Development of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and Dr. Macarena Rojas Ábalos, biologist with a master’s in journalism and president of the Chilean Association of Journalists and Professionals for Science Communication (ACHIPEC).
During the conversation, the panelists agreed that, although progress has been made on equity, structural gaps still persist that hinder women’s full participation in different spheres.
“Real equality will only be achieved when there are public policies that allow women to develop fully. The State has to play a key role in guaranteeing that women can reach their full potential,” said Helia Molina.
From the academic sphere, researcher Mónica Antilén highlighted the importance of scientific vocation and persevering in the face of difficulties.
“The sciences are wonderful. When you really get to know them, you become passionate about them. In any field there will always be obstacles, but when there is passion for what you do, those challenges can be overcome,” she said.
For her part, Macarena Rojas called on new generations to trust in their abilities and in the networks that are working today for greater equity in science. “To young women interested in science I would say: pursue your dreams. Today there are many of us women —and also many men— working to level the playing field and open up more opportunities,” she said.
At the close of the event, CEDENNA director and 2019 National Prize for Exact Sciences winner Dora Altbir, highlighted that creating these spaces for dialogue is key to moving towards a more diverse scientific system.
“There are still gaps we must address, but we also see more and more women developing top-level scientific careers. Identifying these gaps and proposing solutions is essential so that in the future we have many more women in science,” she said.
CEDENNA currently brings together researchers from 18 universities across the country, who work in an interdisciplinary way on the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology and their applications in different productive and social spheres.
Watch HERE the video of the event
