On the occasion of 11 February, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we look back at the CERCA-REMA mentoring programme—an initiative that, between July 2025 and May 2026, has built a community of support, learning, and transformation among women across the CERCA centres.
Mentoring grounded in trust and a feminist perspective
CERCA-REMA weaves a network of relationships between women with diverse professional paths—both in research and in management—who share a common challenge: advancing in their careers within environments where structural inequalities still persist. The mentoring relationships are conceived as safe, trusting and validating spaces, where dialogue is mutual and expectations are realistic. (How can we sustain leadership that does not crack under pressure? How can we break the isolation so many women experience?)
The programme also includes a training pathway designed by Míriam Bayés and Jordina Arnau, featuring workshops on feminist leadership, identifying harassment situations, assertive communication, emotional wellbeing, and the development of sustainable leadership practices.
Broad and diverse participation
The figures highlight the programme’s reach: 61 participants attended the information session, 51 mentoring pairs were formed, and the workshops gathered 322 registrations. It is a community that would hardly have come together outside this framework and that, according to participants, has helped break isolation and fostered strong bonds of professional solidarity.
What we have learned
The reflections shared show that, despite progress, obstacles remain when it comes to reporting sexual and gender-based harassment. Fear of reprisals, lack of trust in institutional mechanisms, and job insecurity continue to act as disincentives. CERCA-REMA demonstrates that training, support, and community-building are essential components in addressing these issues.
The programme also brings to the fore a recurring challenge: the need for continuity. Longer, more flexible spaces that are better integrated into everyday working life would allow deeper work on change processes and make reconciliation easier.
Looking ahead
In 2026, a new line of work will be launched: a specific programme aimed at men, with the goal of promoting their active and shared involvement in eradicating gender-based violence and driving cultural transformation within research environments.
CERCA-REMA has shown that feminist mentoring not only empowers individuals but also transforms groups and institutions. It is a necessary step towards research environments that are more equitable, safer, and capable of recognising all the talent that sustains them.
