Força Meninas

As Deborah De Mari, the founder and CEO of Força Meninas, I am deeply committed to empowering young girls in STEAM fields through data-driven initiatives and transformative educational programs. Our extensive study, "Brazilian Girls and STEAM Insertion: Current Chasm and Horizon for a New Future," provides critical insights into the experiences and perceptions of girls aged 10 to 18 from all regions of Brazil. It explores the barriers they face in mathematics and sciences and connects these challenges to their future aspirations and dreams. Leveraging the findings from this research, we have developed impactful initiatives such as the "Curious Girls, Future Women" expedition. This traveling exhibition has been instrumental in sparking interest in STEAM careers by engaging girls through interactive workshops, seminars, and theater performances tailored to demystify and make accessible the fields of science and technology. Since its inception, our programs have reached more than 65,000 girls from 29 cities across 23 states, demonstrating significant impact and the scalability of our efforts. In 2018, I also introduced the "Change the World Like a Girl" award to recognize young girls in Brazil who propose innovative solutions to societal challenges. This award has evolved, especially during the pandemic, into the first online community that offers girls a safe environment to further develop their skills and explore potential career paths in the most promising future opportunities. At Força Meninas, we are dedicated to not just changing the narrative but actively constructing a future where young girls can visualize and achieve success in STEAM fields. Our work, driven by robust research and community engagement, continues to break down barriers and create opportunities for girls to transform their potential into impactful leadership and innovation in science and technology.