Who we are
A Ponte Network is a network of women experts in various public policy topics, created with the purpose of strengthening women's careers in politics and increasing the representation of Brazilian democracy.
Why we exist
Brazil is among the countries with the worst gender parity rates in Latin American politics. Women account for 18% of the total elected in the Chamber of Deputies and only 7% in the Senate. At the municipal level, the situation is even more alarming: 955 municipal councils do not have an elected woman (data from Brazil's Superior Electoral Court collected by Rede A Ponte).
In other words, around 10 million Brazilian women lack political representation at the municipal level.
Even after being elected, women face several barriers to pursuing a career in politics. Political isolation, lack of mastery of institutional language, and the absence of a team to deal with technical challenges are problems that primarily affect those elected at the beginning of their political careers, such as councilwoman and state deputies.
Our actions
Since 2020, A Ponte Network has been working to change this reality, increasing the representation of Brazilian democracy by:
Supporting elected women in the legislative or high executive positions who aim to continue in politics, through individual technical assistance services, courses, and data tools.
Promoting public policies based on data and evidence and implemented with technical rigor to reach the most vulnerable groups.
Supporting the political careers of women who are already involved in politics is our approach to increasing real representation in spaces of power.
Have you ever heard of mycorrhiza?
The network is the main element of A Ponte as an organization. The inspiration to create this network came from Mother Nature. Often, it is believed that trees are solitary, but they have an underground network of fungi that connect them - mycorrhiza. Through this network, they exchange messages and nutrients, supporting each other's growth. In the context of Brazilian democracy, A Ponte Network acts like mycorrhiza to women in politics.
Our Network is composed of women Economists, Sociologists, Jurists, Administrators, Political Scientists, and more. We strongly believe that knowledge produced in academia can contribute to the development of more assertive policies, so we use evidence and data to develop diagnoses and then translate that knowledge into the language of institutional political dynamics, creating a bridge between academia and politics.
Our team
Amanda de Albuquerque
Executive Director
With a Ph.D. and Master's in Economics from PUC-Rio and a degree in International Relations from UnB, Amanda worked at the Ministry of Social Development and coordinated research with the Ministry of Health of Mozambique. She also taught public policy courses and facilitated the creation of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee at the Economics Department of PUC-Rio.
Cristina de Albuquerque
Administrative-Financial Director
With a Bachelor's in Administration and retired public servant, Cristina worked at the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) and the Federal Public Ministry (MPU) in various administrative support areas. In A Ponte Network, her purpose is to manage behind-the-scenes activities and provide tranquility for the team to focus on the mission.
Rhaysa Ruas
Programs Coordinator
Ph.D. Candidate in Law at UERJ with Master's, and Bachelor's degrees from the same institution, Rhaysa is a Professor at the School of Social Service at UFRJ. She was a visiting researcher in the Sociology department at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a researcher at Amnesty International Brazil. She also worked as a legislative assistant.
Cláucia Faganello
Research Coordinator
Ph.D. Candidate in Business Administration from PUC-RS with a Master's in Sociology from UFRGS, Cláucia is also a Specialist in Municipal Public Management from UFRGS and holds a degree in Law from UniRitter. She worked as a university lecturer, multidisciplinary consultant, and advisor to social movements.
Lauana Chantal
Projects Coordinator
Social Worker, postgraduate in Strategic Management in Public Policies. Worked as a Legislative Assistant in the shared mandate "Gabinetona" and in the mandate of Federal Deputy Áurea Carolina. Is a reference in human rights violations, ethnic-racial and gender relations, and coordination with public agencies, civil society organizations, and social movements. She is part of the Antiprohibitionist National Feminist Network (RENFA).
Naiara Lemos
Executive Assistant
Holds a Bachelor's in Social Communication (UnB) and postgraduate in Journalism (UAB). She is a writer, journalist, content planner, and curator. In the last 10 years, she has been part of various teams, including Think Olga, Think Eva, Rede Globo, and communication offices of leftist parties.
Vivi Linares
Projects Assistant
Social Scientist from UFF, Viviane has extensive experience in coordinating field research and data collection. Currently, she studies UX Research, manages projects, prepares interviewers, and assists Ph.D. candidates in randomized studies.
Vitória Daier
Projects Assistant
Ph.D. candidate in Public Administration at FGV-EBAPE with a Master's in Economics from UFRJ, and Bachelor's in Economics from PUC-SP, Vitória was a research assistant at the Climate Policy Initiative. Her research topics are related to education, the labor market, and gender.
Tatiana Ruediger
Art and Social Media Assistant
With a Master's in Sociology from IESP-UERJ and a degree in Economics from FGV, Tatiana worked in public policy before transitioning to Visual Arts. Since 2019, she has worked as a social media manager, designer, photographer, filmmaker, and embroiderer.
Maria Mercadante
Projects Assistant
With a Master's in International Relations from PPGRI San Tiago Dantas (UNESP, PUC-SP, UNICAMP), Maria specializes in Contemporary International Relations from UNILA and holds a degree in International Relations from UNISINOS.
Ângela Jardim
Administrative Analyst
With a Bachelor's in Tourism from UFOP and an MBA in Communication and Marketing Management from USP, Angela worked with all kinds of events for years before moving to the back office, where she continues to organize, create spreadsheets, and take care of people and internal space.
Administrative Board
Mariana Carvalho
President
Debora Thome
Natalie Victal
Rodrigo Fiães
Lara Barreto
Fiscal Council
Paula Pedro
Julia Fontes
Who nourishes this soil
Our volunteers
Amena Alcantara
Ana Vaz
Ana Pessanha
Andressa Good
Beatriz Amparo
Bruna Fagundes
Camila Moreira
Cecília Dutra
Debora Capri
Fernanda Horn
Gabriela Barbosa
Georgia Assy
Giovanna Santiago
Giulia Gouveia
Isabelle Lins
Júlia Rosa
Juliana Oliveira
Juliana Monteiro
Kênia Ribeiro
Kika Veloso
Laísa Lima
Leticia Almeida
Lilian Corôa
Lua Kliar
Luiza Soares
Manaíra Medeiros
Marcela Belkiss
Malu Freire
Marina Mudesto
Rúbia Freitas
Suellem Henriques
