Nicaraguan researcher to join the sixth edition of the talk series

The sixth edition of the 2026 schedule of the IANAS Women for Science (WfS) Program talk series “Women Who Share Their Science” (“Mujeres que Cuentan su Ciencia”) will host a presentation by Josefina Vijil, a Nicaraguan researcher based at the Cátedra Centroamérica of El Colegio de México (COLMEX). The online session will take place on September 23 and will be chaired by Melba Castillo, focal point of the Academy of Sciences of Nicaragua in the WfS Program.

The edition will be held in Spanish and broadcast live via Zoom – click here to watch live. The event is scheduled for 15:00 in Mexico and Nicaragua (UTC-6) – those interested in participating can check the event time in their time zone by clicking here.

The right to learn and belong

In her lecture, titled “Derecho a aprender y a pertenecer: la niñez centroamericana en movilidad en la Ciudad de México y los desafíos para acceder a una educación” (“The right to learn and belong: Central American children in mobility in Mexico City and the challenges of accessing education”), Josefina Vijil will examine the experiences of Central American children and adolescents living in situations of mobility with their families in Mexico City.

Drawing on interviews conducted with children residing temporarily in the Mexican capital, Vijil will present the strategies of agency and resilience developed by young migrants to continue their education despite the uncertainties and barriers associated with displacement and mobility. The presentation will shed light on the challenges these children face in exercising their right to education and foster discussion on policies and practices that can support inclusion, belonging, and educational continuity.

Strengthening the visibility of women scientists

The “Women Who Share Their Science” series was launched by IANAS to showcase the achievements, research, and personal trajectories of outstanding women scientists from across the Americas. By creating a space where researchers can share both their scientific contributions and the stories behind their careers, the initiative seeks to inspire future generations, strengthen regional scientific networks, and promote greater visibility for women in science.

The 2026 cycle began in June with a lecture by Maria Elena Bottazzi (Honduras) and has since featured distinguished researchers including Arlene Williams-Persad (Trinidad and Tobago), Mónica Moraes (Bolivia), Gabriela Montenegro-Bethancourt (Guatemala), and Ruth Shady Solís (Peru). Together, these talks reflect the diversity of scientific expertise and social impact of women researchers throughout the region.