Water: A Source of Life for Humans, but a Source of Inequality for Women?

This special edition of Bar des Sciences is part of both the “Eaux” cultural season organized by the Media Library Network and the “Ocean of Knowledge” theme of the Fête de la Science. It will focus on a topic of global importance, where water is still too often an additional factor contributing to discrimination against women and girls. Whether it’s the burden of fetching water imposed on women in certain cultures or inequalities closer to home in the workplace—in engineering, for example—many issues related to gender inequality surrounding the topic of water will be addressed during this event.

To discuss this topic—Science and Society—four experts from various disciplines will answer questions from the audience live:

• Julie Mendret, associate professor with HDR status and a junior member of the Institut Universitaire de France, whose research focuses on the development of water treatment processes for the removal of micropollutants;
• Clémence Decroock, project manager at the UNESCO ICIREWARD Center, who is currently leading a project to revitalize the network of UNESCO Chairs working on the theme of “Water and Women”
• Anne Madziarski, head of the Water Authority department within the Waste and Water Cycles division of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole
• Marion Derochet, Project Engineer in the International Division of Antea Group

The Bar des sciences has become one of Montpellier’s flagship events for scientific culture, regularly hosting participatory, community-driven discussions on all areas of science. Throughout the season, scientists are invited to engage in a dialogue where their knowledge and practices are not only shared but also open to discussion.

The season is co-produced by the Scientific Culture / Events and Knowledge Dissemination Department of theUM , along with its partners: INRAE, INSERM, IRD, and Radio Aviva. This special edition of Bar des Sciences is produced in collaboration with Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole.