In celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, L’Oréal Group, in partnership with UNESCO and with support from universities in Ecuador, has announced the call for beneficiaries of the regional program 'For Women in Science'. This initiative is aimed at Central America and the Andean region, aiming to promote the inclusion of women and girls in the scientific field. The program not only seeks to encourage participation but also provides financial support for various projects led by participants who apply for the program.

UNESCO first developed this partnership with L’Oréal in 1998, establishing a framework to foster the integration of women and girls into the world of science, addressing the systemic issues that hinder their participation in scientific careers. A significant aspect of this initiative is the financial backing allocated towards various projects that aspire to break barriers for women in science. Participant projects can have a significant impact on the ecosystem of women's contributions in STEM fields.

A study conducted by UNESCO highlights a troubling statistic: only 33% of researchers worldwide are women, and this figure declines further as they progress in scientific careers, particularly in fields such as engineering, artificial intelligence, and applied sciences. This underscores the importance of initiatives like 'For Women in Science', which aim to raise awareness and provide necessary resources for aspiring female scientists, ensuring a more equitable representation in the scientific community throughout the region.