Chicas en Tecnología Launched a Project Co-funded by the European Union to Reduce the Digital Gender Gap
Chicas en Tecnología, in a strategic alliance with Fundación Cimientos and Enseñá por Argentina, launched the project “Fortaleciendo la trayectoria en STEM de mujeres jóvenes de Argentina” (Strengthening young Argentinian women’s journey in STEM), co-funded by the European Union.
The program’s goal is to train and support young Argentinian women from 13 to 23 years of age in the field of technology. Chicas en Tecnología contributes its experience in initiatives that seek to reduce the digital gender gap, Fundación Cimientos contributes its knowledge in educational journeys and work placement of vulnerable young people, and Enseñá por Argentina focuses on training teachers with vast experience in the field.
The initiative arises in a context where adolescents and young women face different challenges when approaching the technological ecosystem, such as cultural stereotypes, a lack of information on STEM opportunities, and the absence of role models. In a technology-mediated society, including women is necessary to ensure a future where technological solutions are diverse and inclusive and reflect the needs and perspectives of the whole population.
Throughout three years, this project seeks to address this issue by means of a comprehensive approach that encompasses the entire Argentine territory, particularly focusing on vulnerable socioeconomic contexts. It has three intervention axes:
- Comprehensively encourage, train, and support 2,250 young women from 13 to 23 years of age in their academic and professional journeys in the STEM areas through festivals of innovation, extensive training on technological areas, and job skill development, among others.
- Develop and implement a journey follow-up strategy that makes it possible to strengthen a community of 1,200 young women with academic and professional development opportunities in STEM.
- Training 600 teachers and educational leaders in gender and technology by providing resources and teaching materials so that they become agents of motivation for the students.
Chicas en Tecnología works with the conviction that, in order to make a systemic change, it is crucial to involve every social actor: public sector, private sector, and civil society organizations. This will allow for profound cultural changes oriented to improving the conditions and opportunities of future generations, their access to and continuity in the sector, and the development of more inclusive societies.
The initiative was presented at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Buenos Aires (MACBA) and before national and provincial education authorities, international cooperation representatives, private sector leaders, and members of civil society organizations.
