More information
Description
The Project “Estereótipos Não Fazem o Meu Género” recognises the gender asymmetries in the academic and vocational choices for girls and boys, and that will later translate into inequality in the labour market.
This Project aims to work with youth in unpacking harmful stereotypes that may be conditioning young people to lose confidence in their skills and/or avoid choosing specific fields of study and work due to feelings of shame, inferiority or inadequacy.
Activities will prioritise an holistic and interdisciplinary approach that will help young people and teachers reflect critically about how inequalities and gender violence are rooted in society, while also creating a network with key informants that will provide a more realistic insight of what means to be working in areas dominated by the opposite sex. This process will be done through pedagogical sessions in schools with students, through mentorship, school trips and workshops, throughout the 3 years of implementation.
Lastly, the project will culminate in 2 events for all participants that will showcase the work that has been developed, and publish materials, including a manual, to ensure the project’s sustainability.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address gender segregation in educational and professional choices and combat discrimination in the labor market. It focused on deconstructing stereotypes that influence vocational and career decisions, which often perpetuate inequality. To tackle these challenges, the project implemented a gender equality-based vocational guidance program in schools, targeting students in basic education (7th to 9th grade) and secondary education (10th to 12th grade) across the districts of Porto and Setúbal. This approach sought to promote informed, stereotype-free choices and foster equal opportunities in education and the workforce.
The project implemented a primary prevention program in schools in Setúbal and Porto, using a systematic and holistic methodology to deconstruct gender stereotypes in vocational and professional choices among youth. In sessions, creative pedagogical tools were employed to foster critical and participatory reflection on gender equality as a human right and its influence on relationships, domestic work, caregiving, sexuality, and personal freedoms.
The project also delivered four capacity-building sessions for educational professionals, equipping them with strategies to prevent gender stereotypes in career choices. A national and international online campaign was launched to raise awareness and challenge gender stereotypes in various life sectors.
Key outputs included the creation of the "Free Choices Podcast," featuring expert discussions on gendered vocational paradigms, and an infographic presenting the findings of a quantitative and qualitative study on stereotype-free career choices. A Good Practices Manual (e-book) for educational professionals was also published and made accessible via social media and the project’s website. A scientific article was submitted to disseminate the project’s findings further.
Networking activities with national and international partners enriched intervention strategies, promoting collaborative reflection and sharing of best practices to address the needs of the target population – youth.
The project successfully promoted gender equality and challenged stereotypes in vocational and professional choices, directly benefiting youth and educational professionals. It conducted 360 sessions across 6 school clusters and 2 individual schools in Porto and Setúbal, involving 596 students (295 boys and 301 girls), exceeding expectations. An online campaign, “Stereotypes Don’t Define My Gender,” raised awareness among young people through accessible content shared on Instagram, TikTok, and the project website. The project also produced an infographic summarizing findings from a study with 917 9th-grade students across four regions and insights from focus groups in Lisbon and Porto, shedding light on perceptions about gender and career choices. Additionally, a Manual of Best Practices was developed for educators, offering interdisciplinary tools to combat gender-based segregation in education and vocational paths. These activities fostered critical thinking and empowered students while equipping educators to promote inclusive practices, contributing to greater gender equality in education and the workforce.
Summary of bilateral results
The project achieved significant bilateral results through collaboration with the Icelandic Women’s Rights Association, hosting four international roundtables to share insights on vocational choices, gender segregation, and initiatives promoting gender-stereotype-free decisions. Additionally, a partnership with the University of Jyväskylä (Finland) and the Icelandic Women’s Rights Association facilitated the organization of an International Seminar, fostering knowledge exchange and strengthening international cooperation on gender equality.