Portugal is making important progress in promoting women in STEM, yet significant gaps remain across education and professional careers. STEM Women Congress Portugal serves as a platform to connect organizations, showcase successful initiatives and generate the evidence needed to accelerate change across the STEM ecosystem.

On October 8, 2025, the Pavilhão do Conhecimento – Ciência Viva in Lisbon hosted a new edition of the STEM Women Congress Portugal, bringing together professionals, companies, institutions, educators and STEM leaders committed to accelerating gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

The event served as a platform for dialogue, collaboration and action, highlighting the importance of increasing the participation, visibility and advancement of girls and women in STEM fields across Portugal.

The Congress was officially opened by representatives of Ciência Viva, Eva Díaz Claver, Founder and CEO of Global STEM Women and STEM Women Congress, and Margarida Balseiro Lopes, Portugal’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport. Their remarks emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for future generations and fostering a more diverse and inclusive innovation ecosystem.

One of the key moments of the event was the presentation of the STEM Women Annual Report Portugal 2025 by Anna Ollé, Microsoft Customer Success Account Manager and STEM Women Congress Portugal Ambassador. The report provides valuable insights into initiatives, programs and indicators related to the participation of girls and women in STEM, helping governments, companies, educational institutions and organizations make more informed decisions and drive meaningful change.

Throughout the morning, attendees heard from a distinguished group of speakers and experts. Mafalda Rebordão shared her perspective on leadership, innovation and the future of artificial intelligence, while Joshua Bernstein explored the neuroscience behind influence and leadership in STEM environments.

The Congress also hosted the first edition of the Women Shaping Tech Award by APDC, recognizing organizations and initiatives that are making a significant contribution to advancing diversity, inclusion and female leadership within the technology sector. The awards ceremony was led by Sandra Fazenda, Executive Director of APDC.

Following a networking session, participants joined the panel discussion “How to Fix the Underrepresentation of Women in STEM Sectors”, moderated by Liliana Domingues, President of STEM Women Congress Portugal and Founder of AMARNA Vida. The panel featured leaders from organizations including Hitachi Solutions Portugal, Danone and Ricoh Portugal, who shared practical experiences and strategies for attracting, developing and retaining female STEM talent.

The event concluded with inspiring presentations from Sónia Santos Santiago (Brisa), Ana Guimarães Duarte (EACEA) and Sílvia Nunes (Michael Page), who addressed topics ranging from leadership and sustainability to education, employability and the future of work.

The 2025 edition was made possible thanks to the support of partners and contributors including APDC, Ciência Viva, Brisa, Danone, Michael Page, AMARNA Vida, Ricoh Portugal, Unimagem and 250 Graus, among others.

Through this new edition, STEM Women Congress Portugal reaffirmed its commitment to transforming data into action, fostering collaboration across the STEM ecosystem and accelerating progress towards a future where every girl and woman has the opportunity to thrive in STEM.

Together, we continue building a more diverse, innovative and inclusive future.