Brazil's port sector, historically regarded as a male-dominated labor market, is experiencing a period of profound social transformation with growing efforts to promote gender equity in its workforce. Social initiatives aimed at training women for the port labor market have gained significant prominence in this scenario by contributing to a real advance in female presence in the sector.
At the Port of Santos, Latin America's largest port, a group of 84 women residents of the Baixada Santista region, aged 18 to 60, completed their learning process about the port sector and earned the BTP Com Elas certificate, a free course offered by Brasil Terminal Portuário (BTP). Now in its third year, the social initiative—which is part of the company's diversity, equity and inclusion program—has registered the historic milestone of over 2,500 women enrolled.
The significant number of applications reflects the substantial interest of women in opportunities within the port sector, according to BTP's executive director, Cláudio Oliveira. "BTP Com Elas is a pioneering social initiative that genuinely contributes to the inclusion of women at the Port of Santos through learning and strengthening the port-city relationship. This year, BTP surpasses the mark of 180 women qualified for the port labor market, numbers that demonstrate we are on the right path in encouraging diversity and inclusion in the sector," he explains.
Grace Kelly Fátima de Lima e Silva, 37, is one of the women who participated in BTP Com Elas this year and highlights the social role of the initiative. "We live in a time when so much is said about diversity and inclusion, but true inclusion happens when a company opens doors, believes in people and creates real opportunities for them to develop all their potential. This program taught us that competence has no gender, age or origin."
Participant Jade de Souza Santana, 33, also a participant this year, explains that beyond technical learning, women learn to recognize their own worth and take ownership of their own story. "It is a place where we find knowledge, welcome, inspiration and, most importantly, the certainty that we are capable of taking control of our own trajectory and moving forward with much more confidence."
Talent bank – The social contribution of BTP Com Elas goes beyond learning. After completion, the résumés of the women graduates are added to the BTP Com Elas Talent Bank and become available for consultation by all companies affiliated with the Santos Commercial Association (ACS). An opportunity that is only possible through a cooperation agreement signed between BTP and ACS in 2025, as explained by BTP's Administrative Director, Joel Contente. "In BTP Com Elas we offer knowledge to women interested in learning about the port sector, and with the cooperation agreement, we created a broad network of contacts that exponentially expands employment opportunities for the trained women," he states.
About the course – One of the differentials of BTP Com Elas is the learning opportunity with women who already work in the port sector. Classes are taught voluntarily by women who are employees of the container terminal.
During two months of classes held at BTP itself, which is considered one of Latin America's largest container terminals, women experience the port sector and learn, through theoretical activities, dynamic exercises and discussion circles, about topics such as: port operations, leadership, financial management, technology and innovation, psychological safety, sustainability, safety, communication, project management, self-awareness, among others.
