“In order to attract women towards a sector that has been prevalently occupied by men, we need to educate, inspire, support. Educate on numbers and the scientific method from the outset of their education, to defeat a stereotype – that is still widespread – according to which women are not naturally inclined to science and technology. We need to incentivise the presence of women not only in STEM degree courses, but also in wider reaching initiatives …”
The debate on the gender divide was on the press throughout the month of August. Amongst the many different articles printed, we would like to point out the one by Irene Finocchi, Professor of Computer Science at the “Luiss Guido Carli” University that was published on daily "La Repubblica" on August 6.
Amongst other significant activities, Professor Finocchi also mentions her experience with Project WIT – Women In Technology.
“Reducing the digital divide will require a cultural transformation. And cultural transformation requires a lot of time. They require that we change our way of thinking and the values we consider most important in our society and organisations. However, efficient initiatives aimed at involving women in ICT are a must. As Virginia Woolf put it, the time has truly come to create a room for ourselves, a digital room this time.”
The full article is also available on-line on the blog of Giovanni Lo Storto, Director General of the “Luiss Guido Carli” University.
“Women, Computer Science is Your Future”
by Irene Finocchi
La Repubblica, August 6, 2021
