Enabling Policies: Capacity Building and Gender in Science and Technology in Brazil

Brazil has today one of the most ambitious capacity building program in Latin America. In 2012 it has conferred 42 thousand MSc and 12 thousand PhD titles in all scientific areas. An interesting feature of the Brazilian system, however, is that women are the majority of MSc and PhD graduates: in 2008 women accounted for 54% of MSc and 51% of PhD graduates. This paper will look at the reasons for this success and discuss whether this has resulted in a full and equal participation in the science and technological system of the country. The paper will look at the extensive graduate system and discuss its characteristics and specificities that lead to the massive presence of women scientists. It will show that large number of women are present in the entry levels of the system, but that their participation at the higher positions is still weak and that differences in pay are important when they enter the workforce. It will conclude that in spite of a complex and sophisticated policy framework put in place in the last sixty years, further steps should be taken if Brazil want’s these highly trained women scientists to participate fully and to be involved in the highest decision making positions of the system.