At the international conference Minister V. Aleknavičienė emphasized importance of academic and cultural environments based on equal opportunities
On February 11, marking the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Minister of Culture Vaida Aleknavičienė participated in the international conference "Women in Science: Empowering Inclusive Futures" held at Mykolas Romeris University. During the two-day event, researchers, academics, and policymakers from across the globe are sharing their experiences. The main discussion topics of the conference include overcoming structural barriers, gender equality policies, and the creation of ethical, innovation-promoting scientific cultures. The event aims to strengthen an inclusive and equitable scientific community and highlight the role of women in decision-making.
The Minister of Culture participated in the session "Inclusive and Ethical Scientific Cultures," where the "White Paper on Gender Policies in Science and Academia" was presented. Prepared by the Network of Associations of Spanish Researchers Abroad (RAICEX), this document synthesizes the experiences of fourteen different countries.
Following the presentation, V. Aleknavičienė shared her insights during the panel discussion "Current Situation and Lessons Learned in Lithuania."
"The question of women's opportunities in academic careers – especially in the field of arts – is not a narrow sectoral issue. It is a matter of our democratic maturity. Therefore, my responsibility as Minister is to shape a value-driven direction: to promote an inclusive, open academic and cultural environment based on equal opportunities," stated the Minister of Culture.
Continuing the discussion, she noted that while opportunities to study and conduct research are formally open to all, in practice, women often face invisible structural obstacles. The Minister emphasized that as one ascends the career ladder – particularly at the level of institutional heads or decision-makers – the proportion of women still decreases significantly.
The Minister of Culture also remarked that while positive changes have been observed in recent decades, spontaneous progress alone is not enough. According to her, targeted policies and long-term measures are required to ensure emotional safety and create a healthy work-life balance.
Last updated: 06-03-2026