On March 13th, in celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, researchers and students gathered for the “Kunhãberaba” (The Illuminators) event at Aldeia São Francisco in Baía da Traição, Paraíba. Organized by IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement) in partnership with UFPB, UFPE, LMI IDEAL, LMI TAPIOCA, and Pedro Poti School, the event brought together scientists and Indigenous women for a dialogue between academic knowledge and ancestral wisdom.

In the morning, participants learned about the stories of women from Aldeia São Francisco, who preserve traditional practices as midwives, healers, and artisans. In the afternoon, the event featured an interactive workshop with seven female scientists, including researchers Magali Monnier and Martine Couapel, currently on assignment in Recife. They shared their academic journeys and professional challenges with high school students, inspiring the next generation to explore careers in science.

The gathering served as a bridge between institutional science and traditional knowledge, highlighting the importance of mutual recognition and knowledge exchange. “Events like this show how science can be more inclusive and engage with different forms of knowledge,” emphasized one of the organizers.

The initiative is part of IRD’s “Les Éclaireuses” (The Illuminators) program, which promotes gender equality and the recognition of women in science.