Belo Horizonte has joined the global movement to accelerate gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with the celebration of the STEM Women Day Minas Gerais 2026 — a key milestone in strengthening the presence of women in STEM across Brazil.

Organized in collaboration with local ecosystem leaders and aligned with the global vision of the STEM Women Congress, the event brought together institutional representatives, industry leaders, and professionals committed to transforming the future of STEM through diversity, talent, and opportunity.

Held on March 26 in Belo Horizonte, the event gathered voices from the public sector, major corporations, and the innovation ecosystem to address one of the most pressing global challenges: the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields. Today, women represent only around 35% of STEM graduates worldwide, highlighting the urgency of coordinated, systemic action.

From awareness to action: building real pathways for women in STEM

More than a visibility initiative, STEM Women Day Minas Gerais focused on actionable change. The program addressed key structural challenges such as access to education, career progression, representation in leadership, and the role of companies in driving real inclusion.

Throughout the day, discussions moved beyond inspiration to concrete strategies:

• How to ensure not only access, but retention and growth of women in STEM careers
• The responsibility of companies to move from symbolic support to measurable impact
• The importance of role models and intergenerational connections to accelerate change
• The need to align talent development with economic and innovation demands

The event created a space where students, professionals, and senior leaders could engage in meaningful dialogue, reinforcing the idea that closing the gender gap in STEM is not only a social priority, but also an economic necessity.

A collective voice: the Women in STEM Manifesto

One of the most significant moments of the day was the collective construction and presentation of the Women in STEM Manifesto — a shared commitment between institutions, companies, and leaders to drive long-term change.

This initiative reflects a clear shift: from isolated actions to coordinated ecosystems capable of generating measurable impact.

Minas Gerais joins a global ecosystem

With this edition, Minas Gerais becomes part of the international ecosystem connected through the STEM Women Congress — a platform that operates across multiple countries to connect initiatives, generate data, and accelerate systemic change.

The STEM Women Day format, as a more agile and regional activation, brings the core themes of the Congress to local contexts, enabling deeper engagement with regional stakeholders while contributing to a global strategy.

This expansion reinforces the role of Brazil as a strategic territory within the global STEM Women network, connecting cities, institutions, and companies to a shared mission: building a more diverse, inclusive, and competitive future through STEM.

Looking ahead

The momentum generated in Minas Gerais confirms a broader trend: the transition from awareness to structured action.

As the global demand for STEM talent continues to grow, initiatives like STEM Women Day are not only inspiring the next generation, but actively shaping the systems that will define the future of work, innovation, and economic development.

Because the future of STEM is not only about technology — it is about talent. And talent needs diversity to thrive.