Although it may seem otherwise, gender discrimination in science is a problem that has still not been overcome.  In 2000, the European Technology Assessment Network report on Women on Science concluded "that a person's gender plays a disproportionate role in the likelihood of their being able to enter, remain in and succeed within the scientific community".

Science and scientists still have a ‘gendered' identity in the popular imagination. The stereotypical image of a scientist tends to be of a Caucasian man, wearing a white coat and glasses, usually elderly or middle aged, surrounded by test tubes and weird machines. The upholding of these images, in the media, at home and at school, may seem harmless but can actually have a profound impact on young people's perceptions of the place of men and women in society.

Initiatives encouraging more women to enter and remain in science are important.
We want to challenge these stereotypical images by giving women scientists more exposure, hopefully helping to attract the best human resources available to science, independent of their gender, ethnic background or social and economic context.

"Vidas a Descobrir" takes us on a cultural and scientific journey through the lives of 12 female scientists from Portuguese-speaking countries. These women are role models, not only because of the excellence of their work but also their personal journeys, making them examples of both international excellence and determination in the face of less favourable social and economic contexts.     

The interviews aim to tackle both the sex stereotyping of science and scientists as well as the hurdles encountered by different generations of women, in different social and cultural contexts.
Their stories will first be published in a Portuguese newspaper and later will be compiled into a book.  You can see photos of the scientists here.
 

"Vidas a Descobrir" in media (only in portuguese):

    BBC África (2007)               Antena 1 (2009)                           Cientifica Mentes (RDP África, 2009)                  BBC África (2009)
       

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