Girls in IT and Communications Technology 2025/21/21

by: Susanna Gushko*

The United Nations is estimated that by 2050, 75 % of the works will be related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

However, at the present time, only 28 % of those who graduate from engineering are women; According to the World Economic Forum, female representation among people working in STEM is 29 percent.

Studies indicate that giving equal women in STEM races helps reduce the sexual salary gap, improves women’s economic security, guarantees a diverse and talented workforce, and avoids biases.

Therefore, there are many general policies and international initiatives designated for strengthening women in this field. One of them is the Day of International Girls in ICT technologies (ICT), which is celebrated every quarter of April, to imagine and build a world in which girls enjoy fair access to digital tools, science and technology training, and opportunities to develop jobs in these areas.

Statistics indicate that girls, especially in weak contexts, have less access to devices, communication and technological training. However, Mexico and the United Kingdom have shown that with political will, alliances between the public and private sectors and innovative educational models, it is possible to reverse this trend.

In the United Kingdom, for example, the Cyberfirmst, an initiative from the National Cyber ​​Security Center, is seeking to strengthen female talents in cybersecurity, for the age of 11 years. In addition, specific funds are allocated to enhance digital professions among young women, as well as scholarships in major fields such as artificial intelligence and data analysis.

Meanwhile, Mexico merged from basic education girls’ interest in science. Institutions such as Conactyt have given priority to the allocation of scholarships and stimulants for women in research. In addition, in cooperation with universities and civil society organizations, they seek to bring the scientific professions of girls in the contexts of rural or high marginalization.

The work of civil society organizations and the actors in Mexico, such as the epic queen, which performs workshops, courses and chats for girls in robots, artificial intelligence and digital leadership, which positively affected more than 70,000 women and girls.

In the United Kingdom, Stemettes contacted more than 73,000 British girls for computer science, through HackathonsWorkshops, guidance and programs that break the stereotype that technology is “not for girls”.

It also gives us a previous manufacturer an example of procedures aimed at opening spaces in STEM for girls and youth:

Eliana RamirezWho lived his childhood in the Santa Duma area, with severe poverty, made his way to studying engineering in computing in Unam and Master’s degree in Information Systems at the Institute of Science and Technology at the University of Manchester.

Through the beautiful patterns program, which is implemented in conjunction with TEC De Monerrey and MIT, more than 1,600 girls have supported the development of information and communication technology skills. He has also organized the free@TEEN camps directed to children with advanced information technology problems, with 200 to 300 participants annually.

However, there is still a lot to do it. Unnecessary access to communication, continuing stereotypes, lack of media auditor, and low -representation of women in technological leadership sites remains.

To overcome them, a systematic approach is required: ambitious general policies, continuous financing, international cooperation, and above all, molds will be finished from childhood.

I am sure that, like me, you know that young people are enthusiastic about science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, and that a good way to support their development is their invitation to assume in the invitation, until April 30, the British Council of Women has opened in the STEM 2025 grant, which will provide 10 Mexican women to perform a master’s degree in recognized British institutions. It is an unparalleled opportunity that will definitely change their lives.

They can consult the call rules in X and Instagram on Susanahgoshko, Mxbritish and Ukinmexico.

*UK Ambassador to Mexico