51st National Chapter of OWSD established in Paraguay
August 24, 2022
In August 2022, Paraguay became the 51st country to establish an active OWSD National Chapter. The Paraguay National Chapter is the 15th in the Latin America and Caribbean region, all established since 2019. It is hosted by the organization Red Iberoamericana de Investigadores en Micología, RIIMICO (Ibero-American Network of Researchers in Mycology).
The first Executive Committee of the National Chapter is formed by:
Chair: Andrea Arrúa, Centro Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Tecnológicas - Universidad Nacional de Asunción CEMIT-UNA
Vice-Chair: Cynthia Bernal, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, IICS-UNA
Secretary: Fátima RodrÍguez, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, IICS-UNA
Treasurer: Cinthia Cazal, Centro Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Tecnológicas - Universidad Nacional de Asunción CEMIT-UNA
Career Development Coordinator: Rosa Guillén, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, IICS-UNA
Communications Coordinator: Alejandra Rojas, Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, IICS-UNA
Dissemination and Networking Coordinator: Juliana Moura, Centro Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Tecnológicas - Universidad Nacional de Asunción CEMIT-UNA
Other Executive Committee members:
Gladys Velázquez, Hospital Central Instituto de Previsión Social, Hospital de Clínicas-Universidad Nacional de Asunción
Margarita Ruiz, Universidad Comunera
"The gender gaps in science in Paraguay are evident, " said the National Chapter's Executive Committee. "Of the total of 677 researchers categorized in PRONII (Paraguay National Incentive Program for Researchers), in 2019, as much as 49% correspond to women researchers; however, it should be noted that most women are concentrated in particular areas, such as health sciences, chemistry, and animal biology. In addition, the representation of Paraguayan women scientists in positions of leadership is still minor. Although women researchers are present in early career and entry-level positions, once we try to climb the ladder there are obstacles, socially assigned roles and gender bias in research fields that diminish the identification of women in higher decision making positions. In this context, it is important to increase the visibility of Paraguayan women scientists and their contributions to knowledge production. The OWSD Paraguay National Chapter will constitute an organized community in which we can support each other, welcoming all areas of knowledge and research areas."
Included among the National Chapter's planned activities are creating a calendar based around important women in science in Paraguay, publishing a series of wiki articles about Paraguayan women in science, collaborating with the Minister of Women to organize support for dissemination about OWSD among the ministry's networks, and promoting OWSD and opportunities for girls and women in science generally at both schools and important academic and trade events such as the International Livestock, Industry, Agriculture, Commerce and Services Fair (EXPO) and the Exposición Tecnológica y Científica (ETyC) at National University of Asunción.
At the time of establishment, OWSD had 30 members in the Paraguay National Chapter. Women scientists from or living in Paraguay who are not already members of OWSD can become members here. Members who are interested in joining the National Chapter are invited to contact owsdpy [at] gmail.com.
