Brazil Advances Women in Science and Technology Despite Persistent Equity Challenges
Brazil pushes ahead with initiatives and laws to boost women’s roles in science and technology while confronting deep gender and racial funding gaps.
- • The Alpha Lumen Institute’s 'Girls in Science and Technology' project educates over 100 public school girls in robotics and technology.
- • Women hold the majority of master's and doctoral scholarships but receive just 35.5% of top research grants in Brazil.
- • Racial disparities are severe, with black individuals receiving only 18% of research funding and indigenous women facing additional barriers.
- • Proposed legislation aims to support women scientists who are mothers and caregivers to promote equitable assessment and opportunities.
Key details
Brazil continues to promote women's participation in science and technology through dedicated initiatives and legislative proposals, addressing significant gender and racial disparities in the scientific community. The recent celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11 highlighted these efforts.
The “Girls in Science and Technology” project, spearheaded by the Alpha Lumen Institute in São Paulo, targets public school students by offering hands-on robotics and technology workshops. The initiative combines technical skills development with socio-emotional learning, directly impacting over 100 young female students. These activities culminate in tournaments and technology art exhibitions, aiming to foster leadership and widen opportunities for girls in traditionally male-dominated STEM fields. The institute confirmed full funding for this year’s edition, ensuring the continuity and expansion of its programs.
However, broader structural inequalities remain entrenched. Although women constitute 54% of master's and 53% of doctoral scholarship holders in Brazil, they receive only 35.5% of top research productivity grants. The gender gap is exacerbated in STEM fields like Engineering and IT, where female student participation dips to 15.7%. Racial disparities are even more pronounced: black individuals receive just 18% of research funding, with black women and indigenous women facing compounded challenges due to intersecting social factors.
Researchers such as Bárbara Nascimento Flores emphasize the need to rethink the scientific system to include diverse life experiences rather than privileging linear academic paths. Stories from black and indigenous women in academia illuminate the persistent hurdles related to societal prejudice and caregiving responsibilities. Legislative efforts, including the proposed Project of Law 840/2021, seek to create the “Meninas na Ciência e Tecnologia” program with fair evaluation criteria for mothers and caregivers in science. If enacted, this law would mark a significant step towards equitable treatment within Brazil's scientific community.
Collectively, these initiatives and policy proposals reflect a growing recognition that empowering women—particularly those from marginalized groups—is essential to drive innovation and inclusive knowledge production in Brazilian science and technology.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
