STEM for Girls (STEM para as meninas) Initiative
The “STEM for Girls (STEM para as meninas)” initiative, led by the UNDP's Accelerator Lab in collaboration with Women in Tech, brings inspiring women from the field to dialogue with high school students in Cabo Verde. Through these conversations, young women have the opportunity to learn about successful trajectories, demystify stereotypes, and be inspired to pursue careers in STEM. On Girls in ICT Day, the Cabo Verde Joint office of UNDP, UNICEF, and UNFPA organized an open dialogue at the University of Santiago, engaging over 100 high school students with three prominent Cabo-Verdean women in STEM: Pamela Borges, Yara Rodrigues, and Any Pereira.
The initiative demonstrated that women who started with the same educational path as these young women were able to achieve success in science. By showcasing the stories of local role models, the event empowered the students to believe in their potential and encouraged them to pursue STEM careers without being constrained by societal norms. This inspiring exchange fostered mentorship, ignited a passion for science, and motivated more women to engage in STEM fields, especially within the context of Cabo Verde.
Contributed by: Pamela Borges, Agostinho Neto University Hospital, Cabo Verde
Sofia Silva (UNDP), or Pamela Borges (Agostinho Neto University Hospital)