Science, She Says! celebrates women in science, global collaboration - City Lights - Life & Style
The Italian Cultural Institute in Cairo hosted the third edition of the 'Science, She Says!' event to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS).
The event celebrated women in science, highlighting 50 years of scientific collaboration between Egypt and Italy and marking key milestones in the global effort to promote gender equality and women's empowerment.
This year's event was particularly significant as it marked the 10th anniversary of IDWGS and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which have been crucial in the global pursuit of gender equality and women's empowerment.
Additionally, 2025 marks the golden anniversary of the scientific cooperation agreement between Italy and Egypt, which has financed research projects worth 1.2 million euros across shared priority areas, such as water management, agriculture, renewable energy, and cultural heritage.
The Embassy of Italy in Cairo and Egypt's Science, Technology, and Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) organized the event.
The event's name, 'Science, She Says!', is inspired by the award programme established in 2022 by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to annually recognize an outstanding junior female scientist who has remarkably contributed to science and technology.
Italian Ambassador to Egypt Michele Quaroni commenced the event by underscoring the vibrant scientific cooperation between the two countries. He highlighted the successful implementation of their cooperation agreement and the more than 40 active bilateral agreements between Italian and Egyptian research institutes and universities.
Quaroni acknowledged the leading role of women scientists in groundbreaking research globally despite their continued underrepresentation in career paths and decision-making processes. He emphasized that increasing women's participation in science and technology promotes gender equality and benefits civil society and the world of work.
Key figures attended the meeting, including the EU Delegation to Egypt, represented by Counsellor Anne Kofoed, who highlighted EU initiatives such as the Erasmus programmes and Marie Curie research grants, which support women's participation in science.
Prof. Walaa Sheta, executive president of STDF, spoke about Egypt's cultural shift and the growing opportunities for women and girls in science. Prof. Marianne Azer, a board member of Egypt's National Council of Women (NCW), shared insights into the NCW's role in advancing women's participation in science.
The conference focused on the interconnected challenges of food, energy, and water, with inspiring testimonies from prominent women in their respective fields.
Rossella Fanelli, Deputy Director of the World Food Programme Egypt, discussed her work bridging Egypt and Italy. Dalia Samir, co-founder of Hydrogen Egypt and awardee at COP 29 by the Women in Renewables Alliance (WiRA), shared her experience in the renewable energy sector.
Prof. Elham El-Zanati, a scientist at Egypt's National Research Centre and the country's first female PhD holder in biomedical engineering, spoke about her pioneering work in water desalination.
A panel discussion featuring testimonials from prominent figures in science and policy (photo credit of the Italian embassy)
Event highlight!
A special event moment came when 20 girls from the prestigious Don Bosco school in Cairo, traditionally an all-male school, shared their excitement about studying science. These girls represent a significant cultural shift, as over 100 students study there.
The event was concluded with a panel discussion featuring testimonials from prominent figures in science and policy, including Hoda Saad Aboremila, visiting professor at the University of Pisa; Farid Hegazy, senior specialist for employer's activities at the International Labour Organization (ILO) Cairo Office; Heba Gaber, science counsellor at the EU Delegation to Egypt; and Farida El-Kattan, head of CSR and Shared Value Unit at ALEXBANK.
More than 140 attendees participated in the discussion, including representatives from academia, research institutes, embassies, international organizations, banks, and NGOs.
Domenico De Martinis, the scientific attaché of the Italian Embassy in Cairo, concluded the event by reaffirming the embassy's commitment to female empowerment, particularly ensuring women's and girls' access to and participation in science and STEM disciplines.
He highlighted that the event provided a significant opportunity to reflect on the actions necessary to continue advancing gender equality in science.
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