The VII Can Ruti Women for Equity in Science Symposium, held on 6 February 2025 at IGTP, brought together research and healthcare professionals to discuss the need for a broader gender perspective in these fields. Under the title Exploring a Wider Gender Perspective, the event focused on how gender diversity can be better integrated into biomedical research and healthcare, highlighting the importance of a more inclusive approach in generating scientific knowledge.

The event was inaugurated by Julia García-Prado, Scientific Director of IGTP and member of the Can Ruti Women for Equity (W4E) working group, who emphasised the importance of maintaining a space for reflection and debate on equity in science: "With each edition of this symposium, we reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive scientific environment. Gender diversity is not just a matter of equity but a key factor in advancing towards a more rigorous science that is representative of society."

The keynote lecture was delivered by Rosa Almirall, a gynaecologist and expert in sexual and reproductive health, who reflected on the need to understand sex and gender as a diverse and flexible spectrum, as well as the implications this entails for research and clinical practice. Almirall has been the director of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Services of the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS) (1998-2020) and the creator and manager of the Trànsit Service for the promotion of health among trans people in Catalonia (2012-2023).

Key debates on gender perspective in science

Following this, in the journal club, Manel Puig, professor and Clinical Director of Endocrinology and Nutrition at Germans Trias Hospital and IGTP researcher, explored the implications of sex and gender in biomedical research and healthcare.

Sara Cabrero from IrsiCaixa and IGTP and Cris Peligero from IrsiCaixa presented the latest data from the W4E Observatory, which provides an assessment of the state of gender equity in the research institutes of the Can Ruti Campus.

One of the central points of the event was the session "Gender Perspective: We Need More Than Two Genders", moderated by Dàlia Raich from IrsiCaixa, which addressed issues such as healthcare for LGBTQ+ communities and the lack of consideration of non-binary gender in biomedical studies.

Robert Ellis, professor at the University of Exeter, explained how bioscience research must go beyond gender binarism to better understand biological processes in different contexts, including climate change.

The symposium concluded with a round table discussion featuring Rosa Almirall, Robert Ellis and Manel Puig, who debated the remaining challenges and necessary actions to ensure greater inclusion in research and medical practice. The discussion was moderated by Dàlia Raich (IrsiCaixa), Conxa Violán (IDIAP Jordi Gol), Susana Iraola (GCAT) and Aikaterina Lymperidou (GCAT).

During this discussion, Julia García-Prado stressed the need to continue promoting initiatives like this: "There is growing evidence that an integrative gender perspective improves the quality of research and healthcare. We must continue working to ensure that this perspective becomes mainstream across all scientific fields."

Tribute and commitment to gender equity

During the symposium, a tribute was paid to Ana María Lajusticia Bergasa, a chemist recognised for her contribution to science and public engagement.

The event was organised by the Can Ruti Women for Equity (W4E) working group, an initiative that, year after year, drives actions to promote equality in the scientific and medical environment.