Discussion on the rights of women in the Academy
On March 22, the Secretary of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (SENESCY) held the conversation "Women in the Academy, a look at their rights" at the UDA, as part of the commemoration of March 8. March, International Women's Day.
The event had the participation of prominent women in the academic and research area of Ecuadorian universities, such as Florinella Muñoz, the first female Rector of the National Polytechnic School of Quito; the Academic Vice Chancellor of the UDA, Martha Cobos; Rebeca Castellanos, head of academic planning at the Catholic University of Cuenca; Sisa Pacari, indigenous researcher and teacher; Lucía Ruano, academic adviser of the Higher Education Quality Assurance Council (CACES), and Adriana Orellana, pharmacist and biochemist.
In the conversation, moderated by Mónica Vélez, the situation of women scientists in the world was analyzed; his difficulties in reaching positions of power; the cultural, political and intercultural changes of women in Ecuador, and the relationship with the family from the Academy.
Francisco Salgado, Rector of the UDA, began the event by mentioning that the development of science, art, culture and service to society can only improve with the participation in equality of women.
Subsequently, the Zonal Coordinator of the South and South of the country, Felipe Abril, invited reflection that these days for March 8 are "to commemorate the struggle of women, not to celebrate it with chocolates."
In general terms, the speakers stated that their relationship with the Academy and science came from the absence of gender stereotypes in their family environment.
“My upbringing didn't make me feel different, I knew I had the same capabilities as a man,” said Dr. Orellana. Researcher Pacari indicated, for her part, that her father and mother were the ones who encouraged her to study and learn Spanish, and Dr. Muñoz reminded her uncle that she was interested in chemistry.
But Dr. Cobos said that "many of the limitations we have come from home" and Lucia Ruano revealed that her mother forbade her to study medicine for being a woman, but despite that, she managed to defy that limitation.
