«We are holding a forum of women scientists under the auspices of the Belarusian Women’s Union for the first time. I find it especially important that it is beginning its work right here, within the walls of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Our land has always been a land of talent, giving rise to people for whom knowledge became not merely a profession but the very purpose of their lives, people driven to learn, to create, and to pass their knowledge to succeeding generations. Among them were many women who, in different eras, proved that talent knows no bounds and that the pursuit of knowledge can outpace its time. May this continue,» Olga Shpilevskaya said.

Belarusian women work in all fields of science: medicine, biology, physics and chemistry, agricultural and technical sciences, information technology, and the humanities. They head research teams, run departments and laboratories, establish scientific schools, and educate new generations of specialists. «Today we have gathered here to talk about these women: those who have already left their mark on the history of science and those who are now shaping it before our eyes. We will talk about the future of science, discoveries that will change our lives and people who will make them, and opportunities we must give the younger generation so that their talents can be realized. Today’s forum is not simply about the role of women in science and education; it is a conversation about human potential, about continuity and the future of our country,» the chairwoman of the Belarusian Women’s Union emphasized.

New scientific fields are emerging, and humanity is exploring space, artificial intelligence and the most complex biotechnologies. «But one thing never changes: progress starts with people who think, ask questions and seek answers. Behind our every achievement are hundreds and thousands of women doing research, teaching, mentoring students, writing papers, running experiments, defending dissertations, leading projects, and, most importantly, passing their knowledge on to the next generations. That is why the role of women in science is far greater than statistics can show. In my view, there are no male or female discoveries in science at all; there is knowledge, talent, professionalism, hard work and responsibility to society. That is why today’s forum is not about setting women against men. On the contrary, it is a conversation about how to work together to create conditions in which every talent can be fully realized. Supporting scientific work and creating opportunities for professional growth is a shared task,» Olga Shpilevskaya said.

She also addressed young women who are just beginning their journey in science. «Do not be afraid to set the most difficult goals for yourselves, to ask questions, to seek answers, to make mistakes and to start again. The path of science is rarely easy. But persistence, the ability to keep searching and faith in the significance of your work ultimately lead to results. And here the role of older generations of scientists is especially important. Dialogue between generations must become one of the key themes of our conversation today,» the chairwoman of the Belarusian Women’s Union concluded.