EuChemS recently hosted its Global Women’s Breakfast (GWB) event for 2025, an inspiring initiative to celebrate and empower women in science, technology, and innovation. This event, which took place online on 11 February 2025, was part of a global initiative with 397 breakfast events worldwide listed on the IUPAC map, aiming to empower women in science across the globe.
EuChemS’ theme for this year’s GWB, “Reaching for the Quarks,” focused on the incredible potential of women in advanced scientific fields, highlighting the need for fair and equal opportunities in cutting-edge research and innovation. Thought leaders, researchers, and advocates came together to address the systemic barriers that women face in accessing and succeeding in scientific careers.
Angela Agostiano, President of EuChemS, hosted the event, while Noah Al-Shamery, Communication Team Lead of the European Young Chemists’ Network (EYCN), guided participants in discussions on overcoming gender biases and promoting inclusivity in science. The event featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Iwona Gulaczyk, Giulia Napoli, Sílvia Osuna, and Snežana Zarić, who shared their experiences and insights from their respective fields, ranging from computational chemistry to forensic science.
In addition to EuChemS’ event, Nineta Hrastelj, EuChemS Secretary General, was also invited to participate in the GWB2025 event in Romania. During this event, Nineta Hrastelj delivered a speech on “Scientific Leadership through Collaboration and Fair Competition,” addressing the challenges women face in accessing leadership roles, unconscious bias, and the need for systemic change to ensure equal opportunities.
The GWB2025 was an important platform for advancing gender equality, and through initiatives like these, EuChemS continues to support the global movement toward greater representation of women in scientific leadership and innovation.
