On the fourth Thursday of April, we celebrate International Girls in ICT Day, a date that aims to inspire young girls to explore scientific and technological careers, promoting gender equality in a sector that’s shaping the future.
At BIOAZUL, we love surrounding ourselves with people who have talent, creativity, and the desire to make a difference. That’s why, to mark this day, we wanted to give a voice to some of the amazing women in our network. They’ve shared their experiences, the challenges they’ve faced, and the messages they’d like to pass on to girls who are just beginning to imagine their place in the tech world.
Tina Katika, Project Manager at ICCS
“Passion, perseverance, and a future-focused mindset”
From civil engineering to extended reality (XR), Tina’s journey has been one of constant evolution:
“I’ve always been driven by problem-solving and innovation.” Her curiosity took her from working on oil extraction in the North Sea to developing XR tools for education, human-robot interaction, and digital twinning — the creation of virtual replicas of real-world systems.
She has faced gender bias, especially in male-dominated fields, but overcame it through strong technical skills, measurable results, and a supportive network: “Barriers only motivated me to grow and lead.”
Her message to girls: “Be fearless in your curiosity. Technology needs your unique perspective. Find mentors, trust your abilities, and never let stereotypes define your place in the world.”
Paula Ruiz, R&D and Sustainability Director at TROPS
“Technology with soul can also change the world”
Paula grew up surrounded by maths, tech, and emotional intelligence. She chose Industrial Engineering for its versatility and now leads over 100 tech projects in the agri-food sector:
“I never imagined myself working in agriculture, but I discovered a world full of innovation.”
She remembers being one of just three women in her university class. Over the years, she has felt the need to work harder to be recognized, but always believed in the power of mutual support among women: “Talent has no gender. What matters is not giving up what makes us unique.”
Her message to girls: “This world is yours too. Be curious, passionate, and don’t let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do. Your ideas are needed to change the future.”
Beatriz Moreno, Director of the International Institute for Mobile Communications – Future Connections
“No role models, but full determination”
Beatriz has always loved science. Even without female role models around her, she followed her passion and chose Telecommunications Engineering. Despite the challenges of the “.com” crisis and later the 2008 recession, she found a wide range of career paths and strong job stability in the tech sector.
She points out that the real barriers appear when aiming for leadership roles:
“Sometimes you need to repeat your ideas to be heard — or see them validated only when echoed by a man.” She believes in resilience, ambition, and a sense of responsibility when facing these situations.
Her message to girls: “There are no ‘girl careers’ or ‘boy careers’. If something excites you, go for it. ICT offers global opportunities, freedom, and a thrilling future.”
Cristina Merino Archivet, Senior Solution Architect at Nokia
“Connecting people, breaking barriers”
Cristina’s passion for computers began thanks to her older brother, and her strength in maths and physics led her to study Telecommunications. Today, she works on cutting-edge 5G mobile network projects and is part of a leadership program for women driven by UN Women and Nokia.
Even though there were few women in her university class, Cristina never felt discriminated against. However, she does recall uncomfortable questions about motherhood during job interviews. Nowadays, she’s optimistic about the growing equality in the field.
Her message to girls: “Don’t be afraid to choose what you love. ICT is not just for men. More and more women are joining — and that’s changing everything for the better.”
These voices prove that talent, passion, and curiosity know no gender. Celebrating International Girls in ICT Day is not only about highlighting progress but also about shedding light on the challenges that remain — and opening doors for future generations.
At BIOAZUL, we encourage all girls to explore the world of technology with freedom, excitement, and confidence. Because the future is also built by them — with talent, vision, and determination.
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