Brazil Advances Women’s Leadership and Participation in Science on International Day
On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026, Brazil highlights rising female representation and leadership in science through public policies, industrial roles, and youth educational projects.
- • Women represent 52% of researchers in Brazil, surpassing men according to Ipea.
- • Paraná state features strong female academic participation with 51% faculty and 59% undergraduates being women, supported by active public policies.
- • Project Girls in Space promotes scientific education for girls in aerospace and climate science in Rio Grande do Norte.
- • Female leaders like Mariangela Hungria and Carla Pavanelli exemplify women’s growing influence in Brazilian science.
- • Challenges remain in decision-making roles, but initiatives are fostering increased female leadership.
Key details
February 11, 2026, marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a date underscored in Brazil by a series of initiatives celebrating and empowering female scientific talent across the country. Recent data from the Institute of Applied Economic Research (Ipea) highlights that women constitute 52% of researchers in Brazil’s scientific groups, surpassing men in representation.
In the industrial sector, professionals such as Williane Lopes Carneiro and Thamara Tomires Souza from Braskem illustrate the integral role of women in applied science. Williane credits her scientific education for her professional success in engineering, emphasizing, "Science is present in all my work, and I am honored to be part of a group that studies, develops, and optimizes processes internally." Thamara stresses the necessity of scientific rigor in industry, noting, "Science requires you to prove analyses, bringing more security and assertiveness."
In Paraná, the state government’s effective public policies have helped women comprise 51% of university faculty and 59% of undergraduates, reflecting a significant growth in academic participation. Carla Pavanelli, a notable female leader, coordinates ecology graduate research at the State University of Maringá. Paraná’s Fundação Araucária supports various initiatives encouraging female scientists, such as the NAPI Taxonline and the Paraná Faz Ciência program, which engages young students in science. Mariangela Hungria from the State University of Londrina was awarded the 2025 World Food Prize for her pioneering work in microbiology and biotechnology, demonstrating women’s increasing impact in applied science. Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in decision-making roles, yet programs like Top Manager foster female leadership.
Meanwhile, the Project Girls in Space, managed by Funpec in Rio Grande do Norte with partners including UFRN, the Brazilian Space Agency, and UNDP, focuses on scientific training specifically for girls and young women. The project integrates climate science and aerospace technologies into public school curricula, actively working to dismantle gender barriers. Project coordinator Professor Mariana Almeida highlights, "Girls can and should occupy spaces in science, technology, and the aerospace sector," while Funpec’s director Aldo Dantas emphasizes that "investing in the scientific training of girls is investing in the country's development, innovation, and the construction of a more just and sustainable society."
Together, these efforts showcase Brazil’s growing commitment to increasing female participation and leadership in science and technology, spanning industrial careers, academic achievement, and youth education, positioning the nation as a regional leader in promoting gender equity in scientific fields.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
