Gender-Inclusive Science Outreach in Bolivia

OWSD Bolivia has completed a series of highly successful outreach activities under its Gender in STEM, Research and Outreach Pilot Project. The pilot was originally designed to include 6 events between October 2024 and July 2025, however, the initiative more than doubled its scope and delivered 13 impactful activities across 6 strategically chosen Bolivian cities.

Events focused on promoting gender equity and visibility in science, and featured science fairs, symposiums, and webinars all designed to engage young women and strengthen Bolivia’s scientific community.

Highlights included the 3rd and 4th National Scientific Congresses in Santa Cruz and Cochabamba, which brought together over 600 participants who had access to more than 150 presentations led by women researchers and students. The 2025 Science Fairs celebrated the International Day of Girls and Women in Science, and attracted hundreds of families who were able to take part in interactive experiments.

The Talking with Women Scientists series, now a national event, offered informal café-style conversations to connect the public with women in science. Neuroexplore 2025 in La Paz blended neuroscience, AI, and youth innovation through hackathons and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Webinars on scientific writing, gender challenges in STEM, and water sustainability further broadened access to knowledge and engagement across Bolivia.

The initiative’s success was driven by partnerships with academic institutions, local governments, and grassroots organizations. It emphasised decentralisation, young women’s leadership, and community-based capacity building.

Through this effort, OWSD Bolivia is building a more inclusive, visible, and equitable scientific ecosystem in the Global South.