5 Effective AND Effortless Initiatives to Encourage Tomorrow’s Women Tech Leaders
Did you know that in 2020, only 29% of all ICT occupations in Australia, as per a recent Statista report? This stat is unexpected given how easily young women use technology, particularly mobile devices and digital media, in today’s times.
The funny side is most “Gen Z” members (born between 1996 and 2010) and also many millennials (born between 1980 and 1994) effortlessly utilise technology, especially mobile devices, to carry out daily life activities. But then why the discouraging stats mentioned above?
The answers lie in their lack of access to digital skills for life. To address this issue this year’s International Girls in ICT Day theme, observed on 28th April 2023, “Digital Skills for Life”!
Below, we explore the initiatives Girls in ICT Day organisers are taking.
The Learning Path to Digital Skills for Life
Girls and young women can thrive in occupations based on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) if they acquire the skills to become both ICT users and creators in the digital world.
We see a lot of talks and discussions on young women’s achievements and challenges concerning information technology. And there are many on both sides of the coin. As the following report by Delloite Global shows, large tech companies are slowly closing the male-female gap in top management.
(Source: Women in technology statistics | Deloitte Insights)
Large tech companies are slowly closing the male-female gap in top management, but more needs to be done to provide girls with proper ICT education and access.
To tackle these “issues”, we suggest five popular and proven ways (as recommended by ITU) to break the shackles and let the girls access the treasures of ICT:
E-mentoring:
Organising mentorship programs that include female role models is a potent way to motivate girls to pursue ICT careers. Through mentorship programs, girls can benefit from vital elements such as confidence, courage, and support, which they often lack due to gender and societal biases in STEM education and careers.
Online E-mentoring sessions allow girls to learn from established and successful women in tech industries. The girls receive advice, encouragement, much-needed confidence and knowledge that inspire them to identify and embrace their aspirations for an IT career. And this inspiration stirs interest in gaining skills in ICT.
Blogging Competition
Blogs and blogging platforms facilitate a popular and easy way to express thoughts through words. To help emerging women leaders communicate their thoughts and ideas on technology, we can arrange online competitions that will motivate the girls to express themselves via words. Organising blogging competitions on popular platforms like WordPress, Medium, or Blogger will give the girls a purpose and also the confidence to express their ideas and soft tech skills.
Webinars or Web Dialogues
The recent pandemic skyrocketed the use of web dialogues and webinars to express or discuss various topics and ideas. This method has proven a great way to sit in your home or place and effectively and efficiently engage with your audience or community.
This method allows industry experts, role models and inspiring young girls to share their perspectives on the importance of gender diversity in technical fields. They can discuss the challenges and opportunities girls have in ICT sector occupations and also how organisations can play a pivotal role in overcoming these challenges.
Online Coding Training or Courses
Computer programming and other coding forms are becoming popular among students and professional learners. In recent decades, coding languages like Python, Java, and C# have been branching into various platform-based forms utilised and customised by numerous coders worldwide.
These varied coding forms facilitate creativity, learning new information and exploring new ideas. And to expand coding skills to people across the globe, online coding classes and courses are becoming a popular choice for practitioners. Udemy, Khan Academy, Coursera, edX, and many other local and global online platforms offer coding courses, some even free.
This spread of online coding can help girls develop skills in problem-solving, logic, imagination, brainstorming, multitasking and design virtually and affordably. Firms like APACON expedite such initiatives.
Online Coding Competition
Similar strategies to online coding classes can apply to arranging online coding competitions to boost IT and programming knowledge among aspiring girls. This step furthers the online coding concept with the addition of competitive rewards. Arranging virtual hackathons or coding games for girls ONLY can escalate their interest in programming sectors and let the experts select upcoming talents.
Conclusion
The world demands empowering young women with digital skills. International Girls in ICT Day stresses the significance of breaking the digital glass ceiling that divides equal opportunities for all. Upskilling young women with digital skills drives their progress in career and life, boosting ICT economies worldwide. So, tech leaders, organisations, and educators must ensure effective and efficient initiatives encouraging young women and girls to equip themselves with updated tech skills and knowledge.
