Fapespa supports the "Amazônia Mulher" seal, which promotes bioeconomy and women's empowerment
On this Thursday (28), the first ten certifications of the seal were held at an event in the capital of Pará
To value and promote the protagonism of Amazonian women, creating market opportunities, expanding national and international visibility, and promoting economic empowerment through the production of bioproducts, with appreciation of traditional knowledge, the "Amazônia Mulher" seal was conceived. This is a project supported by the Amazon Foundation for Support of Studies and Research (Fapespa), which, on this Thursday (28), presented the first ten certifications during the 7th State Conference on Women's Policies, at the Princesa Louçã Hotel in Belém.
By recognizing entrepreneurial women who promote sustainable practices in the region, the seal encourages local development and environmental preservation. Thus, the "Amazônia Mulher" Seal aims to be not only a certification but also an instrument that provides visibility and strengthens Amazonian identity. The project also includes a website created to consolidate information about the associates and expand the reach of these entrepreneurs.
"Fapespa seeks to strengthen projects led by women, encouraging women's empowerment within science. And this project, besides being coordinated by women, also encompasses women who work with bioeconomy. So, it encompasses strategic points for the State of Pará, to which Fapespa adapts," highlighted Fapespa's Science and Technology Coordinator, Carina Melo.
Fostered by Fapespa, through the Women in Science notice, the "Amazônia Mulher" seal also has the support of the State Secretariat for Women (Semu), the Federal University of Pará (UFPA), and the Federal Rural University of the Amazon (Ufra). Today, there are already 200 women in the certification phase, with certificates expected to be delivered in November.
Bioeconomy
The "Amazônia Mulher" seal also aligns with the State Bioeconomy Plan (PlanBio) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set forth by the United Nations (UN). Thus, investment in bioeconomy and the creation of a seal that recognizes economic activities led by women in Pará stimulates innovation and increases regional and global competitiveness.
During the certification, the project's idealizer, Ufra professor Thaís Braga, an environmental engineer and renewable energy specialist, spoke about the proposal: "Despite the advances, there is still a scarcity of formal recognition instruments that project Amazonian women in the sustainable and innovative market. Thus, the project's goal is to reach entrepreneurial women in the Amazon who produce from their economy using bioeconomy, that is, all those products that originate from Amazonian biodiversity."
Women in Science
The seal is part of the public call "Strengthening Research Groups Led by Women in Pará: A Step Forward in Gender Equity in Science." The call was directed to female researchers leading registered research groups in the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPQ) and linked to Science, Technology, and Innovation institutions (ICTs) based in the State, held in March 2024.
With this initiative, Fapespa seeks to contribute to reducing gender inequalities in science and technology; strengthen women's research capacity, stimulate women's participation in strategic areas for the development of Pará, among others. The available financial resources serve the twelve Integration Regions (RI) of Pará.
This is Public Call No. 003/2024, developed in coordination with Semu, aimed at the female audience, which contemplated ten research projects, each with a budget of R$ 600 thousand, totaling R$ 6 million in investments.
Mission – Fapespa, as a funding agency for science, technology, and innovation in the State, has been working to promote the plurality and inclusion of women scientists, studying and developing more actions to increase the proportion of women in visibility spaces in science. Thus, the selected proposals received financial resources for the execution of the research project and scholarships for Scientific Initiation and Post-Doctorate.
"It is important that Fapespa, as a funding agency, develops and executes actions that seek to collaborate for gender equity in science, thus aligning with the State government's policy. This is another action that proves the institution's commitment to gender equity," added Carina Melo.
Check the list of the first ten women certified with the seal:
1. Hortência Maria Osaqui Floriano, from Fazenda Bacuri – Bragança;
2. Valdenise de Almeida Genu, from Ateliê Art’ Genuína – Belém;
3. Suzana Gonçalves de Araújo, from Suzana Araújo Ateliê – Marabá;
4. Carmen Silvia Setubal Reis Chaves, from Mega Artes Pará – Belém;
5. Acenet Andrade, from Flor do Igarapé – Ananindeua;
6. Luciana Augusta Leite de Lima, from Lu Artes com Feltro – Ananindeua;
7. Nádia Galvão Manaia, from Sumano Chic – Ponta de Pedras;
8. Maria Odete Ferreira da Silva, from Sítio São Bento – Bragança;
9. Coostafe, represented by Narayana Brotas – Ananindeua;
10. Gilmara das Neves Alves, from Chita Chic – Marabá.
