In Portugal, there are few impactful initiatives at the preschool and primary education levels that encourage young people towards STEM fields. STEM initiatives should focus on secondary and university education, as these ages are decisive for career decision-making. Lisbon and Porto host the highest concentration of STEM initiatives.

These and other key findings were shared at the STEM WOMEN CONGRESS LISBOA (SWC) 2024, held October 24, where an intense debate took place on women’s participation in the world of Science and Technology. In one of the most important gatherings for the STEM Women community, initiatives to attract more young women to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) were presented.

For the first time, with data on Portugal, SWC shared the SWC Annual Report, an annual study that compiles data on activities and programs that promote gender equality in STEM fields.

The general conclusions of the SWC Annual Report Portugal reveal the impact reported by the various entities participating in the 2024 Annual Report:

1. Lack of impactful initiatives at the preschool and primary education levels.
2. Only a few STEM initiatives in Portugal focus on secondary and university education, which are critical ages for vocational decision-making.
3. Most STEM initiatives are recorded at the professional level.
4. Lisbon and Porto almost exclusively receive the impact of all STEM initiatives. It is crucial to expand these efforts to other regions in the country.
5. In all countries, it is essential to continue collecting and reporting data on inclusion and diversity in the STEM field.

The SWC Annual Report Portugal further reveals that, of the thirty programs developed in 2023, the 15 programs designed to encourage and inspire children and youth to choose STEM studies impacted only 1.26% of the total population of 1.3 million girls and boys—a percentage that must be improved. Half of the surveyed initiatives focus on promoting and raising awareness of scientific and technological studies among girls and boys; however, only four programs were identified that focus on early childhood.

On a positive note, 73% of STEM initiatives use public or mixed funding sources (53% mixed and 20% public), while only 27% rely solely on private capital. This contrasts with the career-focused segment, where almost half of the initiatives have private funding.

The Maritime Station of Alcântara, at the Port of Lisbon, hosted the SWC, which included the presence of the Secretary of State for Equality, Carla Mouro, the Secretary of State for Science, Ana Paiva, and Lisbon City Council’s Councillor for Economy and Innovation, Joana Oliveira e Costa. Representing the city of Lisbon, Costa received an award recognizing the Portuguese capital as a “STEM WOMEN CONGRESS CITY,” a distinction previously awarded to Madrid, Barcelona, and Montréal (Canada).

Eva Díaz, CEO of STEM Women Congress, stated, “The Lisbon event was a success, and we will return to Lisbon because it’s essential to continue working to encourage young people towards STEM fields. The Portugal Report showed that there is still a long way to go in combating gender inequality in STEM sectors, and SWC wants to strengthen this ongoing effort that needs to be sustained.”