Women’s Empowerment Initiatives in Brazilian Universities…
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4.3 The Girls in Science Program
Given the gender gap in Brazil, especially when referring to education in vulnerable
social classes, the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development
(CNPQ) developed a program for the inclusion of girls and women in the scientific
field. The program became known as “Girls in Science” and several universities in
Brazil received funding to carry out actions for more equitable gender inclusion. Two
of them are from the south of Brazil, such as the University of the South of Santa
Catarina (UNISUL) and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS).
4.3.1 At the University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNISUL)
The University of Southern Santa Catarina is located in the South Region of Brazil,
in the State of Santa Catarina. It is one of the best-rated community universities
in the country. Its extension programs are geared to the University’s commitment
to connecting with the community. In this sense, the Girls in Science Program
at UNISUL is a mechanism that integrates the teaching, learning and researching
process to allow the students to experience the knowledge learned in the classroom
(UNISUL 2020).
In this way, UNISUL aims to contribute through the Girls in Science Program to
encourage girls to enter the universe of exact sciences, engineering, and computing.
Thus, learning to discover, believe, invent and reinvent. This program seeks to modify
the minority scenario of women in these scientific fields, currently represented by
30% of women (UNISUL 2020).
The Girls in Science program is essential because it effectively corroborates the
fifth and seventh target of SDG 4, which maintains that by 2030, countries need to
ensure the elimination of gender disparities in education and guarantee equal access
to all levels of education and professional training for the most vulnerable. Also,
to promote the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve sustainable development.
Especially through education for sustainable lifestyles that respect the pillars of
human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence,
global citizenship and diversity (UN 2020).
Thus, university extension programs that focus on scientific research enables an
exchange of knowledge between students and the community since it influences the
use of active teaching methodologies aimed at consolidating critical emancipatory
thinking and empowering acquired knowledge. Besides, the programs can be tools
of adherence and articulation of public health programs and policies that turn their
attention to issues inherent, among others, to women’s empowerment (Casadei 2016).
Moreover, with the benefits of university extension, an important role can be
reconciled in achieving the targets of the SDG5 that seeks to guarantee the full and
effective participation of women across all sectors and levels of decision-making,
443
4.3 The Girls in Science Program
Given the gender gap in Brazil, especially when referring to education in vulnerable
social classes, the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development
(CNPQ) developed a program for the inclusion of girls and women in the scientific
field. The program became known as “Girls in Science” and several universities in
Brazil received funding to carry out actions for more equitable gender inclusion. Two
of them are from the south of Brazil, such as the University of the South of Santa
Catarina (UNISUL) and the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS).
4.3.1 At the University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNISUL)
The University of Southern Santa Catarina is located in the South Region of Brazil,
in the State of Santa Catarina. It is one of the best-rated community universities
in the country. Its extension programs are geared to the University’s commitment
to connecting with the community. In this sense, the Girls in Science Program
at UNISUL is a mechanism that integrates the teaching, learning and researching
process to allow the students to experience the knowledge learned in the classroom
(UNISUL 2020).
In this way, UNISUL aims to contribute through the Girls in Science Program to
encourage girls to enter the universe of exact sciences, engineering, and computing.
Thus, learning to discover, believe, invent and reinvent. This program seeks to modify
the minority scenario of women in these scientific fields, currently represented by
30% of women (UNISUL 2020).
The Girls in Science program is essential because it effectively corroborates the
fifth and seventh target of SDG 4, which maintains that by 2030, countries need to
ensure the elimination of gender disparities in education and guarantee equal access
to all levels of education and professional training for the most vulnerable. Also,
to promote the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve sustainable development.
Especially through education for sustainable lifestyles that respect the pillars of
human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence,
global citizenship and diversity (UN 2020).
Thus, university extension programs that focus on scientific research enables an
exchange of knowledge between students and the community since it influences the
use of active teaching methodologies aimed at consolidating critical emancipatory
thinking and empowering acquired knowledge. Besides, the programs can be tools
of adherence and articulation of public health programs and policies that turn their
attention to issues inherent, among others, to women’s empowerment (Casadei 2016).
Moreover, with the benefits of university extension, an important role can be
reconciled in achieving the targets of the SDG5 that seeks to guarantee the full and
effective participation of women across all sectors and levels of decision-making,