UNESCO believes that all forms of gender-based discrimination are human rights violations and a significant barrier to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Empowering girls, boys, women and men with knowledge, values, attitudes, and skills to address gender disparities is a condition for building a sustainable future for all.
Based on the 2030 Agenda of leaving no one behind and combating the exclusion of girls and women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), UNESCO launched the #EDUCASTEM2030 project in Brazil in 2022. Through training strategies for teachers and students, the project aims to raise awareness and transform girls' and women's lives through a pedagogical approach in schools. This initiative seeks to reverse exclusion scenarios.
Fabiana Machado de Souza and Tainá Caldas, both 19 years old, are among the students who have dreamed of pursuing a career in STEM and got involved in the project. Fabiana is from Catu (Bahia), and Tainá lives in Ilhéus (also in Bahia state). Both girls have faced challenges and difficulties in entering their areas of study. With the support of #EDUCASTEM2030, they met inspiring women and mentors, expanded their skills, and gained confidence in their potential. Fabiana got a full scholarship to study production engineering, which is the same course that Tainá is taking. Tainá is also a student leader who shares her story and points out paths for girls seeking STEM studies in Brazil.
The two Brazilians and girls from other countries participated in a documentary, Her Education, Our Future, produced by the Chinese CGTN Network with UNESCO.
We spoke to them to find out how their experiences with #EDUCASTEM2030 helped their studies and lives.
1) Tell me about you and your study objectives.
Fabiana: I am a student. I am in the 3rd semester of Production Engineering at Santíssimo Sacramento College. I am also a country girl.
I am a hard-working, shy, dedicated, dreamy and determined girl who fought for everything, for my dreams and goals. Studying is vital for improving life. Through my studies, I want to reach new high-level experiences and opportunities, build a better life, and make a difference in my context. I want to complete my degree in engineering and get a job to learn and develop in the area. In the future, I wish to combine this field with other fields and develop new ideas. Even though it is a direction that requires more effort, it is pleasurable and rewarding, enriching the personal, family, and social aspects.
Tainá: I like reading, watching anime, happiness, smiling, and seeing smiles. I am a production engineering student. Now, my study objective is to start an English course. I intend to finish Production Engineering College, which will last several years. After that, I will take an MBA, but I still don't know which one.
2) How was your experience with #EDUCASTEM2030 project?
Fabiana: It was an incredible experience to participate in the #EDUCASTEM2030 project. Interestingly, I could not stick to anything I proposed, but the course was awesome, as it was from UNESCO. I learned a lot of content, and one of the things I remembered most was about gender equality and equity. The teaching and learning were sensational. I learned as much from the course as from others participating and sharing their experiences and dreams. I learned about inspiring women, life lessons and the meaning of STEM. The space for interaction via the internet was encouraging, as we could talk while learning, making it accessible due to the difficulty of getting around. I reflected on the importance of girls in science and how relevant the topic was to the context in which I live, discovering a new perspective and positioning myself in the face of situations.
Tainá: My experience at #EDUCASTEM2030 significantly influenced my decision on which course to take and which area to pursue. Because I always heard a lot of advice, such as, "Do this, do that, this suits you, this is good for you". I had the chance to meet only a few people in STEM areas. I only had a little contact with professionals working in Pure Science fields, so I was very afraid of pursuing a scientific field. However, #EDUCASTEM2030 opened my vision to this. I met incredible people like Professor Eliad Lima and heard incredibly inspiring stories. Iliad's helped me a lot with that. Today, I study Production Engineering. The #EDUCASTEM2030 course inspired me to take a scientific course today. Studying production has been one of my best experiences and decisions. I'm not going to say it's easy; there are times when I feel sad about not being confident that I will be able to keep up when I can't get that excellent grade. But I always remember the reason for taking the course, which is my passion. Every time I discover something new, it's always beautiful! My experience was incredible at #EDUCASTEM2030.
3) What helped you most in achieving your goals?
Fabiana: Many difficulties were on the way. Passing through them required strength and courage. Looking back, it's unbelievable how I could overcome even in those difficult moments when I thought about giving up and that it would be the end. But I believed I could improve and everything would work out, so I fought. I put my head on the pillow, knowing that I had tried hard and that giving up would cause more regret than if I had tried. My family - my mother, sister, and father - believed I could achieve it and supported me, encouraging and guiding me to follow the right path, study and be dedicated.
Tainá: My family's support helped me the most in achieving my goals: my sister, father, and mother. I never really had pressure at home due to my Production Engineering course, although I have had it from others. So, with my family, it has always been very light. I always say that my sister is one of my inspirations. She always talked about pursuing a science field, so she gave me that little push I needed to equally pursue a scientific field of study, which helped me go after my goals.
4) With your experience so far, what advice would you like to give to other girls?
Fabiana: I want to tell other girls, "Yes, you can do it! Your dreams can come true, and they are essential. Even if barriers appear, breathe and continue, faithfully believing everything will work out. Value your life. Make a difference and take action, even if you find yourself without support. Do not be afraid, and do not mind destructive criticism. You are capable; you have potential; you are valuable and unique. Go ahead! Tell your experience to help other girls going through the same thing!"
Tainá: My experience so far has been good but, at the same time, challenging. I am not going to say it is easy. It is not! But that does not mean I will give up. Unfortunately, there are difficulties that I did not even imagine because leaving secondary education straight to university is a considerable challenge. It is complicated and very different, but it is exciting despite my difficulties. I fall in love with new experiences every moment, as if I am living a dream. And the advice I have for girls is: "Do not give up! It is not easy to go through many difficulties, but always remember why you are there. Fight with everything you have, with all your strength. Always seek support from everyone, especially from in your family. When it is difficult, do not hold back; ask for help. Asking for help does not mean weakness or seeking comfort. It is a support so that we can overcome your difficulties."
#EDUCASTEM2030
Her Education, Our Future
"Her Education, Our Future" – an hour-long documentary produced by CGTN alongside UNESCO – celebrates 2024 International Women's Day.
