The Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) has launched a groundbreaking new campaign titled “She Belongs”, aiming to boost female participation in adaptive sports across the country. The initiative, announced at a special event in São Paulo, seeks to address long-standing gender disparities and empower a new generation of women athletes with disabilities.
The campaign comes at a pivotal moment, following Brazil’s historic performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where female athletes contributed significantly to the country’s record medal haul.
Addressing the Gender Gap in Paralympic Sport
Despite Brazil’s success in international competitions, internal studies by the CPB revealed that female athletes still represent less than 30% of the total participants in adaptive sports programs nationwide.
The “She Belongs” campaign aims to change that through a multi-pronged strategy:
- National awareness tours featuring female Paralympic champions.
- Scholarship programs exclusively for girls and young women entering adaptive sports.
- Coach training initiatives to foster more inclusive environments.
- Public service announcements promoting visibility and breaking stereotypes about women in sport.
CPB President Mizael Conrado emphasized during the launch:
“It’s not enough to open the doors; we must actively invite and support women to walk through them. Sport transforms lives — and every woman deserves that opportunity.”
Champions Leading the Movement
Prominent Paralympic athletes are at the forefront of the campaign:
- Carol Santiago (swimming) shares her story of resilience and victory after facing visual impairment.
- Mariana D’Andrea (powerlifting) discusses the importance of strength — both physical and emotional — for young women.
- Sophia Kelmer (athletics) focuses on mentorship and encouraging teenage girls to dream bigger.
Their testimonials are featured in a powerful video series airing on national television, social media, and in public spaces such as bus stops, train stations, and shopping malls.
Targeting Schools and Communities
A key element of “She Belongs” is early engagement. The CPB is partnering with public and private schools to:
- Introduce adaptive sports in physical education classes.
- Host “Paralympic Days” where students can try different modalities.
- Create safe spaces for girls to explore sports without fear of judgment or exclusion.
Pilot programs have already been launched in cities like Salvador, Porto Alegre, and Manaus, with plans to expand to rural and indigenous communities by 2025.
Support Beyond the Field
Recognizing that barriers are not only physical but also societal, the CPB is collaborating with organizations focused on mental health, leadership development, and career planning for female athletes.
Workshops on self-esteem, body positivity, and public speaking are being integrated into sports programs, aiming to build well-rounded leaders, not just competitors.
A Vision for the Future
The CPB’s ambitious goal is to double the number of female participants in Paralympic sports by the time of the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
As part of the legacy plan, they also intend to nurture female coaches, referees, and administrators within the adaptive sports ecosystem — creating a truly inclusive and representative movement.
Conclusion: Opening Doors, Changing Lives
The “She Belongs” campaign is more than an initiative — it’s a powerful statement that women with disabilities have a rightful place on the podium, in leadership, and at the heart of Brazil’s sporting future.
By investing in visibility, access, and support, the CPB is not only creating athletes — it’s creating agents of change who will inspire countless others to chase dreams once thought unreachable.