As part of the L’Oréal-UNESCO program for women in science (For Women in Science), three young Moroccan researchers have been rewarded.
During this 8th Maghreb edition, the L’Oréal-UNESCO program for women in science honored Hajar El Ahanidi, researcher in the field of biological sciences at the University Mohammed V in Rabat, Ihssane Toujgani, researcher in the field of biological sciences at Abdelmalek Essaâdi University in Tetouan and Samah Laalej, researcher in the fields of Earth sciences and related environmental sciences at Moulay Ismaïl University in Meknes.
The For Women in Science Maghreb program, which rewards five Maghrebian scientists working in the fields of earth and environmental science, computer science and engineering, medical biotechnology and biological sciences, also rewarded two young researchers Tunisians.
Thus, and thanks to this distinction, the five laureates will each receive a grant of 10,000 euros to carry out their postdoctoral projects. On this occasion, Laila Benjelloun, Managing Director of L’Oréal Morocco, indicated in her speech that the L’Oréal-UNESCO program for women in science aims to give more women researchers the means to achieve excellence. science and contribute to solving the challenges facing humanity.
The person in charge also pointed out that this initiative sets itself the objective of helping women in the field of science to face the various obstacles that limit their capacities, emphasizing in this sense the need to fight against sexist prejudices and discrimination based on gender, to encourage girls to pursue scientific training at school and to allow women scientists to benefit from equal access to funding and publications.
Similarly, the General Manager of L’Oréal Morocco noted the importance of raising awareness of the challenges women face in science and breaking the glass ceiling that remains a reality in research.
By investing in strengthening the role of women in science, the program “ For Women in Science ” remains » an instrument that can contribute to meeting the major challenges of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development noted for his part, Mohamed Alaoui, representative of UNESCO for the Maghreb who considered that women should see their role reinforced in science, an essential vector of development to found a new economy based on knowledge and creativity.
He also argued for the contribution to the empowerment of women as a transformative force for human rights, for economic growth and for sustainability issues, and we must place gender issues at the heart of all development efforts. development” , did he declare.
It should be recalled that the L’Oréal Foundation joined UNESCO in 1998 within the framework of the ” For Women in Science to help more women scientists around the world overcome barriers to their advancement and inspire future generations of women to make science their calling. Over the past 23 years, this program has supported more than 3,900 researchers from more than 110 countries.
As for the program ” For Women in Science“, it is part of a partnership between the L’Oréal Foundation and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), to help young women in their research and encourage them to pursue a brilliant scientific career.
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