International Women’s Day serves as a global platform to recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of women across various sectors. In the realm of research, particularly within the SONYA project, the active involvement of women as principal investigators (PIs) and researchers is instrumental in shaping studies that address the nuanced working conditions and needs of the predominantly female social care sector for older adults.
The SONYA project, led by Professor Petya Puncheva, is a pioneering initiative aimed at assessing the role of social economy organizations (SEs) in retaining and attracting social elderly care workers, thereby fostering social innovation effectiveness in rural areas. The project seeks to empower SEs to lead social and environmental community initiatives by enhancing their organizational capacities and scientifically measuring the impact of social elderly care services using sustainability, inclusivity, and efficiency indicators. This initiative is particularly significant given the growing aging population in the EU and the increased demand for quality social elderly care.
Within the SONYA team, the diverse cultural experiences of female researchers enrich the understanding of how gender equality is perceived and practiced in various national contexts. This lived experience enables the formulation of deeply gender-specific research questions that might not emerge without firsthand navigation of these cultural realities. Moreover, this perspective fosters rapport and trust with informants, which is crucial when discussing sensitive topics.
However, it is essential to recognize that female leadership alone does not automatically equate to a gender-inclusive research approach. Historical examples demonstrate that internalized biases can sometimes perpetuate existing inequalities, regardless of the leader’s gender. Therefore, a gender-mixed research team committed to inclusivity is vital. Male colleagues who support gender equity contribute significantly to the research process and the project’s inclusivity dimension. For instance, one of our male researchers reflected on the dominance of older women in managing and attending classes at a University of the Third Age, considering how male cultural insights are equally valuable in understanding gendered social behaviours and in designing initiatives that promote positive outcomes for all.
Ultimately, celebrating gender inclusivity in research means fostering collaboration within a diverse team that upholds progressive and inclusive values. History has shown that gender alone does not define one’s commitment to inclusivity, internalized biases can exist regardless of gender. What truly matters is a shared dedication to gender equity within the research team.
On this International Women’s Day, we honour the contributions of women in research and reaffirm our commitment to building inclusive teams that drive meaningful change in the social care sector and beyond.
