The great educational alliance supporting women in science and technology improves the awareness of youth on gender differences and influences university choices. The first impact evaluation presented in Turin. Linda Laura Sabbadini, W20 Chair: “Invest in skills and passion; be determined when facing issues.”
This morning, the American Studies Centre in Rome hosted the conference for the launch of the 8th edition of Coding Girls, the programme promoted by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale and United States Diplomatic Mission to Italy in collaboration with Microsoft, to overcome gender prejudice in scientific and technological sectors that are still characterised by a lack of skills and therefore present many professional opportunities. The project involved 15,000 young women in 47 cities and 32 academic partners. Moreover, with ENI, Coding Girls have also become experts on the energy transition, while in Turin the tests conducted with the Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo reveal the impact of the programme on the future choices of the young protagonists.
The use of digital tools is on the rise in Italy, but the overall situation is still characterised by delay and lack of competitiveness, as emerges from the recent DESI Report. In terms of human capital, for instance, Italy places third to last in the EU with a percentage of ICT specialists that only amounts to 3.6% of the workforce and only 1.3% of STEM graduates. Moreover, gender equality continues to be critical: women account for only 19% of all specialists and ca. one third of STEM graduates in Europe. In Italy, only 16% of women are specialised in technology. In terms of the participation of women in the economy and digital society, Italy places right above Romania, Bulgaria, Poland and Hungary.
Promoting gender equality in STEM subjects and professions and contributing to the achievement of the digital targets for Europe’s Digital Decade (20 million ICT specialists and gender convergence) are the challenges of the 8th edition of Coding Girls, presented this morning with the patronage of Women20. The programme, promoted by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale and United States Diplomatic Mission to Italy in collaboration with Microsoft Italia, includes training sessions, coding competitions and orientation and role modelling sessions held by our 32 academic partners. The activities will address 15,000 high school students in 47 cities.
Thanks to the ability to network with public and private organisations and developing a grassroots movement, Coding Girls is also an initiative that is able to attract local investments, efficiently develop processes of transformation, and supporting the actions of the “Repubblica Digitale” Coalition. The national programme has also led to several original spin-offs. Thanks to our collaboration with ENI and Project COde&FraME for Self-Empowerment, Coding Girls also addresses sustainability and the environment, discovering the infinite opportunities for development presented by research and science. In the South, a precious alliance has been formed between the Embassy of the Netherlands and Naples. In Turin, an original test conducted by the Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo on 600 young women in 10 schools has evaluated the impact of the programme on skills and future choices [see: Coding Girls in Turin]. The analysis conducted on the second year of activities reveals the positive impact that the programme had on the coding abilities of young men and women (6-19%) with a self-perceived ability confirmed by correct answers to technical questions. Coding Girls influences the university choices made by youth and makes them more aware of gender issues. If, at the beginning, 46% of students (but only 28% of women) agreed with the statement “On average, men are more suited for STEM,” by the end of the programme, the percentage of young men who agreed matched that of their female peers.
Skills, passion and determination are the three elements on which to invest to obtain the job you really want. Nothing is impossible if you truly desire it and study for it. You also have to be strong when facing issues, every problem can become an opportunity for improvement. Your generation has a great opportunity, that of challenging the world. Often, those who transmit stereotypes are not fully aware they are doing so. Indeed, we cannot eliminate stereotypes, but we can curtail them by increasing our understanding and knowledge. As young women, you must fight them by investing in your education and yourselves with passion and commitment.
Linda Laura Sabbadini, Central Director ISTAT and W20 Chair.
Empowerment should also be the opportunity for every woman to become what she desires. Young women must be ready to accept the great challenges of our age, like the digital and green ones. Initiatives like Coding Girls are fundamental. We must all participate in this cultural transformation.
Martina Rogato, CSR Consultant and W20 Spokesperson.
It’s great to be here today for the Coding Girls event with so many young women. Supporting the empowerment of women is one of the objectives of the United States Government, both at home and abroad, as a critical element to drive the economic development of every country. Thus, our embassy firmly supports Coding Girls. Thanks to the precious work of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale and its many partners, Coding Girls aims to kick off and consolidate cultural transformation, not only point the way to STEM, but also helping all young women to choose the best course of studies and professions that are open to the challenge of innovation. There still is a lot of work to do, but the enthusiasm of Coding Girls, both in the United States and Italy, is the premise for a better future.
Christina Tomlinson, Minister Councillor for Public Affairs, United States Embassy in Italy.
The value of Coding Girls lies in the systemic alliance amongst schools, universities and companies to raise the awareness of young women on the importance of employment, as well as the idea of choosing to study and work in science and technology. These are flexible professional sectors that are well-paid and have a great potential for growth.
Mirta Michilli, Director General, Fondazione Mondo Digitale.
Never have digital tools been so crucial to the development of our country. The digital sector is generating important opportunities for growth and employment for the new generations. Fundamentally, this concerns STEM, areas in which we still require professionals with adequate skills to support the processes of digital transformation and innovation of companies. Initiatives like Coding Girls, which we have supported since its outset, are indispensable to help young women overcome gender stereotypes and understand the advantages of a career in science or technology for the future of the entire country. Moreover, Coding Girls is also connected to our Ambizione Italia #DigitalRestart, educational programme with a plan of investments and resources that will provide the skills most sought after by the labour market to students and help professionals with updating courses to keep them abreast of the times and innovation.
Annamaria Bottero, Customer Experience & Success Division Director, Microsoft Italia.
Skills have no gender. If you choose Coding Girls, you are making a wise choice, girls! Discover your talent. Trust yourselves and develop your critical spirit. As a company, we will strive to create the conditions to allow you to accomplish yourselves, personally and professionally.
Marwa El Hakim, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, ENI.
We cannot wait 135 years to achieve gender equality. We cannot wait for someone to recognise us, and risk being excluded. The only thing that we cannot teach you is curiosity. Be curious, girls! Explore! Discover!
Rosanna Ventrella, Vice President, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo.
PRESS KIT 
- Event Agenda
- Note for the Press
- Universities
- Coding Girls (Project Profile)
- Coding Girls in Turin (Project Profile)
- CO.ME.SE (Project Profile)
- Association
- Data on the Gender Gap
Photo Gallery
