Women’s Journey in STEM Education in Brazil: A Rapid Review on Engineering and Computer Science

Abstract

Challenges related to gender equality are being researched by different institutions, universities, and companies worldwide. In particular, there are still gaps concerning higher education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Through a Rapid Review, this work aims to present the factors that affect women’s journey in STEM education in Brazil, mainly in engineering and computer science. More specifically, we seek to describe the barriers, motivators, and strategies present in the researched academic literature. Barriers include stereotypes, oppression, patriarchal relations, prejudice, segregation, isolation, lack of support from colleagues and teachers, judgment, fear of mathematics, and mansplaining – the unnecessary explanation made by a man of something a woman says. Motivators include support from the school and teachers, exposure to the STEM area during high school, teamwork, and support from family, friends, and classmates. The strategies to overcome barriers women face in STEM education include exposure to STEM topics, the inclusion of teachers in encouraging and training, role models, participation in technological competitions, a friendly environment, and women participating in technical evaluators’ work. This work presented data revealing women’s challenges in STEM, highlighting existing barriers, motivators, and strategies tested to address the low female participation. This information significantly expands the discussion on this topic, especially in the labor market and education. In our view, quality and excellence depend on an inclusive policy where selection is based solely on merit, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion.

Keywords

• Higher education
• gender equality
• STEM
• Brazil