Today is International Day of Women and Girls in Science. From Chile we would like to invite more women to join these disciplines and become great contributors in creating a better future for the planet.
“Women are here to push and break through the spaces of knowledge; science, technology and mathematics are no exception. More women in science are needed to improve and enrich our future, the future of Chile and the world,” affirms Catalina Agurto, PhD in Astrophysics, and member of the Star Tres collective.
The Chilean scientist issues this call because every 11th of February, since 2016, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day that advocates full access and equal participation of women in this field.
Millarca Valenzuela, a geologist and meteorite expert, calls on all young women and girls who are interested in science to feel confident in choosing careers related to this field. “You will be the next generation of Chilean scientists who will contribute to solving problems that human beings face, such as climate change, so jump on board! We need a lot more thinkers, diverse thinkers, where no doubt girls and women can play their part,” she adds.
Chile has outstanding female scientists, astronomers, geologists, mathematicians and engineers, among others, who are doing excellent work searching for local solutions to great, global issues. Whether working with telescopes in northern Chile or in the far south of the cold Antarctic, these specialists work for a better future for all.
According to UNESCO data, in 2020, 32% of the people who work in science and technology in Chile are women, a similar figure to the rest of the world. This is why the local and international call is meant to encourage more women and girls every day to develop their knowledge in this field.
