This recognition highlights the commitment and initiatives of the ICM in promoting gender equality within the scientific field.
The Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM) has been awarded an honourable mention in the 2024 edition of the CSIC Equality Distinction. This recognition highlights the Institute’s institutional commitment and sustained efforts in promoting real gender equality.
In this year’s call, the Equality Distinction has been awarded to the Institute of Chemical Technology (ITQ). Additionally, honourable mentions, without financial endowment, have been granted to the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Centre (CBM), a joint centre of the CSIC and the Autonomous University of Madrid, and the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE).
These honourable mentions acknowledge the suitability of equality measures, staff involvement, the implementation of innovative actions, the design of inclusive advertising content, the gender-disaggregated classification of staff data, promotional initiatives aimed at girls and young female researchers, and scientific outreach activities focused on encouraging scientific vocations among girls.
The CSIC Equality Distinction was established in 2018 with the aim of recognising the institutes, centres, and units of the CSIC that have developed significant activities in the field of equality, promoting a gender perspective as a cross-cutting category in all aspects of the CSIC’s operations and advancing the elimination of barriers faced by women in the exercise of their profession.
It is worth noting that the ICM had already been recognised with an honourable mention in the 2020 edition of the CSIC Equality Distinction, underscoring its continuity and dedication in implementing gender equality policies.
Esther Garcés, Deputy Vice-Director for Equality at the ICM, emphasised:
“This recognition is a boost to continue implementing policies that foster a fair and inclusive work environment. Gender equality is not only a fundamental right but also an essential pillar for the advancement of science and innovation.”
According to Silvia Donoso, ICM gender expert, the institute will continue advocating for structural and organisational culture changes to ensure an inclusive and equitable environment where all its staff can develop professionally under equal conditions.
For its part, the CSIC, as an institution, has recently been awarded the European Union’s prize for its trajectory in gender equality, further reinforcing its commitment to inclusive and excellent science.