Portugal - National Girls in STEM Programme

The National Programme for Girls in STEM (Programa Nacional das Raparigas nas STEM) was adopted by the Government of Portugal in 2025, coordinated by the Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality (CIG), with core actions scheduled for implementation over the 2026–2029 period. As an ongoing national programme designed to reduce the gender gap in Portugal's digital and technological sectors, the initiative is structured into two implementation phases.

Phase 1 Implementation

Phase 1 of the programme focused on establishing governance mechanisms, refining performance and impact indicators, launching targeted funding calls under PESSOAS 2030, and deploying key structural instruments such as the Emblem "Girls in STEM", the Ambassadors Network, and the Matilda Gage Award.

Key Strategic Objectives

• Early STEM Engagement: Stimulate interest and participation among girls in STEM subjects across primary and secondary education (preschool to 12th grade) by dismantling gender stereotypes.

• Higher Education Parity: Reduce the disparity between male and female enrollment and graduation rates in higher education STEM and ICT courses.

• Glass Ceiling Reduction: Combat structural barriers to leadership, career progression, and retention for women in STEM and tech sectors.

• Policy Alignment: Ensure synergy with the National Strategy for Equality and Non-Discrimination 2018–2030 (ENIND), the National Digital Strategy, the National AI Agenda, and UN SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Main directions

Preschool to 12th Grade:

• School-based programs addressing gender bias.

• Teacher training on gender-sensitive STEM pedagogy.

• Practical, hands-on experimental STEM activities and workshops.

Higher Education:

• Targeted attraction and retention strategies for underrepresented STEM fields (specifically ICT and Engineering).

• Merit-based incentives and career transition support.

Transversal Axis (Mentorship, Leadership, & Recognition):

• Ambassadors Network: Mobilizing female role models from academia and industry to inspire young girls.

• Mentorship Programs: Structured guidance connecting female students with women researchers and professionals.

• Emblem "Girls in STEM": A recognition mark awarded to public, private, and third-sector organizations promoting gender parity in STEM.

• Matilda Gage Award: Honoring outstanding achievements of female students and researchers in scientific fields.

Recommendations for Phase 2 Implementation

• Lifespan Approach: Formalize intervention strategies tailored to progressive developmental stages (from early childhood to career entry).

• Workplace and Market Integration: Expand the scope beyond academia to ensure retention, equal pay, and leadership opportunities in the labor market.

• Governance Continuity: Transition from the initial 6-month Technical Working Group to a permanent Coordination Body to oversee multi-year execution through 2029.