From 11F to 8M: OWSD Ecuador’s 2026 Season of Science, Visibility, and Action
From the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (11 February) to International Women’s Day (8 March), OWSD Ecuador is leading—and co-leading—a series of outreach, public engagement, and academic initiatives to make women in STEM more visible, inspire future scientists, and strengthen networks that open pathways from academia to society.
Here is what we have planned for February–March 2026:
1)“Children Take Over the Polytechnic”
(Los peques se toman la Poli)
This is a hands-on outreach experience where girls and boys (upper primary and early secondary levels) visit research laboratories at Escuela Politécnica Nacional (EPN). The activity highlights women scientists and encourages students to explore STEM pathways.
Partners: Escuela Politécnica Nacional (EPN); Red Ecuatoriana de Mujeres Científicas (REMCI)
Date: 12–13 February 2026 (morning program)
Venue: Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador (in person)
2) “Profiles of Women Scientists from Cuenca.”
A social media series featuring short profiles of women researchers based in Cuenca, shared through Universidad Católica de Cuenca and amplified by OWSD Ecuador—connecting the 11F–8M season through storytelling and visibility.
Partners: Universidad Católica de Cuenca; OWSD Ecuador
Date: February–March 2026 (aligned with 11 February and 8 March)
Venue: Online (social media)
3) Panel Discussion: “Women Scientists in Ecuador: Opening Pathways from Academia.”
The panel discussion will focus on the experiences, challenges, and contributions of women scientists in Ecuador, with a focus on building pathways from academia and the importance of support networks in scientific careers.
Partners: Alliance Française (Ecuador), OWSD Ecuador, REMCI, GENIA
Date: February 11th, 2026
Venue: Alliance Française (in person)
4) Meet OWSD Ecuador
We will hold an informational session on International Women's Day to introduce OWSD and expand our membership. Two OWSD Ecuador members will share their experiences, followed by an open Q&A and outreach to recruit new members (women and men).
Partners: OWSD Ecuador; additional partners to be confirmed depending on host venue
Date: March 2026 (around 8 March; exact date/time to be confirmed)
5) Revista Presencia (ADEPON) Special Issue.
“Gender Perspectives: Debates from Latin America” (Perspectivas de género: debates desde Latinoamérica)
As part of the 11F–8M season, OWSD Ecuador, REMCI (EPN Node), and the National Polytechnic School Teachers Association are launching a special edition to encourage evidence-based academic debate and critical analysis with an explicit gender perspective across all disciplines.
Partners: Revista Presencia / Asociación de Profesores de la Escuela Politécnica Nacional (ADEPON); OWSD Ecuador; REMCI (EPN Node)
Dates: Call open: 08–12 February 2026 (submission window) | Publication: March 2026
Venue: Online submission (owsd.ecuador@gmail.com)
Note: Revista Presencia is an electronic journal; the journal and special issue are published in Spanish.
Stay Connected
If you are an OWSD member, a partner organization, or an ally network and would like to collaborate with or amplify these initiatives, please reach out to OWSD Ecuador.