Indigenous Researcher Champions Visibility of Women Scientists Amid Rising Feminicide in Mato Grosso
Amid rising feminicide in Mato Grosso, a UFMT project led by an indigenous researcher aims to boost visibility and respect for women scientists in STEM through education and art.
- • Mato Grosso experienced an 18% increase in feminicides in 2025, totaling 46 cases.
- • Women are significantly underrepresented in STEM at UFMT, with only two female Physics graduates in 2024.
- • The 'Mulheres nas Ciências' project uses art and education to increase female participation and visibility in science.
- • The BNCC curriculum framework supports integrating gender perspectives in science education.
- • Focus on diverse ethnic backgrounds, including indigenous women, aims to foster dignity and combat stereotypes.
Key details
In Mato Grosso, Brazil, alarming rates of violence against women, particularly feminicide, highlight an urgent need to boost the visibility and respect of women scientists, especially from diverse ethnic backgrounds. According to the Brazilian Public Security Annual Report, the state saw 46 feminicides from January to October 2025, marking an 18% increase compared to the previous year and making it the Brazilian state with the highest feminicide rate that year.
Women remain underrepresented in STEM fields, particularly at the Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT). In 2024, only two women graduated from the Physics bachelor's program, with similarly low numbers in the Licensure program. This underrepresentation exemplifies broader gender disparities within Brazilian scientific fields.
To address these challenges, the UFMT hosts a project titled 'Mulheres nas Ciências' (Women in Science), which fosters dialogue among female students and amplifies their engagement in science through innovative approaches combining art and education. This initiative aims to dismantle stereotypes that perpetuate violence against women and encourages greater societal respect for women scientists.
The project also aligns with the Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC), Brazil's national curriculum framework, which integrates gender perspectives and emphasizes scientific literacy and sustainability competencies. By showcasing women scientists from varied ethnic and social backgrounds, particularly indigenous perspectives, the project seeks to nurture dignity and inclusion within STEM education.
This effort spotlights the critical intersection of gender, ethnicity, and science in Brazil today, positioning the promotion of visibility and valorization of women scientists as a key strategy to combat social inequities and violence. As one indigenous researcher involved remarked, increasing recognition of women scientists is essential not only for education but also as a cultural tool against violence and discrimination in Mato Grosso and beyond.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
