Today, February 11, is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Since 2019, the VHIR, together with IRBLleida, has also been working on the https://nlsomvh.vallhebron.com/mailster/34092/9b6a9714d16bc9644f790089e26b2ffc/aHR0cHM6Ly95b3V0dS5iZS9jaTZ2bGgtWGQ2QQ Women in Scienceprogram, aimed at ensuring gender issues in VHIR research and promoting female leadership. This initiative is part of the RRI (Responsible Research and Innovation) strategy of the VHIR and is a sign of the institution's commitment to promoting equality as evidenced by the 'HR Excellence in Research' quality seal granted by the European Commission in 2015. You can see a https://nlsomvh.vallhebron.com/mailster/34092/9b6a9714d16bc9644f790089e26b2ffc/aHR0cHM6Ly95b3V0dS5iZS9jaTZ2bGgtWGQ2QQ preview of Women in Science here.This year, on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Vall d'Hebron invites you to watch the online documentary Picture a Scientist, which will be available from Thursday 11 February at 8:00AM until Sunday 28 February. Don't misshttps://www.pictureascientist.com/media the trailer here and, if you want to fully watch it, https://documental.vallhebron.cat/ sign up here.The documentary Picture a Scientist tells the experiences of three women, biologist Nancy Hopkins, chemist Raychelle Burks and geologist Jane Willenbring in the world of research. Through their stories, the three researchers lead viewers on a deep journey ranging from harassment to discrimination. Along the way, from cramped laboratories to spectacular field stations, we encounter scientific luminaries who provide new perspectives on how to make science itself more diverse, equitable, and open to all. Document for gender equality in biomedical research in CataloniaThe Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia (AQuAS) has led the publication of a new monograph, which aims to promote gender equality in Catalan research centers to achieve scientific excellence. Núria Gavaldà, Director of Strategy at the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), and Federica Righi, Head of the Strategic Projects Unit, have participated in the drafting of the document, known as https://aquas.gencat.cat/web/.content/minisite/aquas/publicacions/2020/women_advancement_research_saris7_aquas2020.pdf "Women's Advancement and Leadership in the Biomedical Research Centres of Catalonia II".At the end of 2019, the VHIR committed together with 18 other health research centers and institutes to fight discrimination against women in this field by signing the Charter of Commitment to Gender Equality, known as the Hypatia of Alexandria Charter. In this new document, the participants delve into the proposals that gave rise to the letter with the aim of promoting action plans in Catalan organizations to achieve gender equality.The monograph presents six proposals to advance gender equality by promoting coordination between organizations: Monitoring and analyzing gender inequality issues. They propose to study the specific causes behind the gender inequalities and to define indicators in order to recognize the actions (efforts).Modernizing policies and management practices. In order to overcome the challenges to gender inequalities, there must be a willingness at all levels to support the new approaches. They include the development and support to linkage between life balance and career progression, obtain commitment of the whole institute and develop concrete initiatives to achieve gender equality and accelerate scientific advancement and innovation.Improving research by integrating a gender perspective, for example, encouraging and promote researchers to enroll women into clinical trials of all phases and avoid biases.Fostering women's career advancement and development. The approaches include promoting balance gender candidates in the selection processes.Ensuring gender balance and transparency in decision-making position, as these positions are still largely dominated by men. It is proposed, for example, to define a clear and transparent selection criteria of evaluation.Removing unconscious bias and promoting cultural awareness. This strategy includes being aware of the language and the attitude in order to promote gender equality, for example, in the workplace, as well as emphasizing gender perspective in communication to society. Hypatia of Alexandria CharterThe AQuAS document also incorporates the 12 points of the charter of commitment for gender equality in Catalan research centers. The Hypatia Charter is expected to serve as a tool that helps cooperation and mutual learning for institutions to carry out actions in favor of the advancement of women in biomedical research in Catalonia.The directors of research centers and institutes recognize that: The Catalan research ecosystem cannot reach its full potential unless it benefits from the talents of all.Advancing gender equality demands comprehensive and genuine commitment from research centers, in particular active leadership from those in senior roles.The initiatives and actions to support individuals alone will not sufficiently advance gender equality. We see the new gender priorities from local, national and European governments, funding and assessment agencies as an opportunity to align individual actions.Gender inequalities are just an expression of the insufficient representation of diversity in science. We also acknowledge that individuals have multiple identities and acknowledge the need to consider the intersection of those identities wherever possible. Therefore, we commit to: Advancing gender equality in the centers, in particular, addressing the loss of women across the career pathway and the absence of women from senior roles.Tackling the gender pay gap, both vertically and horizontally for the same role and level of seniority.Taking action to remove the obstacles faced particularly by women at major points of career development and progression, and especially in the transition from PhD into a sustainable research career.Addressing the consequences of labor contract interruptions and labor market rigidities for the retention and progression of staff in research centers, particularly women.Promoting sustainable structural and cultural changes to remove systemic barriers, unconscious biases, stereotypes and inequities and promote inclusive settings for diversity and family conciliation.Taking the opportunity of the new gender priorities from local, national and European governments, funding and assessment agencies. Thus, in alignment with the HRS4R charter and other European and government initiatives, we engage in a genuine implementation of Gender Equality Action Plans (GEAP) internally and commit into sharing our experience between centers for the benefit of mutual learning and support.Supporting and training our researchers to take a responsible approach on gender perspective in research and innovation with the aim to strengthen the quality of knowledge production and benefit all individuals in society, regardless of gender.Taking action to advance in women's representation and the inclusion of any form of diversity.