2019/03/22
New York, March 21, 2019. – As part of the 63rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women and EQUALS, GSMA, with support from The Trust for the Americas – OAS, GSMA, Kano Computing, BT, the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and Engineering for Change, is organizing the Tech4Girls workshop, which is taking place today in New York City.
This theoretical-practical workshop seeks to help girls between the ages of 10 and 14 increase their self-confidence in their abilities in science, technology, engineering, art and design, and mathematics (STEAM) studies by developing technology- and computing-based products. During the event, participants will carry out various activities, such as assembling their own computer, learning to program, and developing interactive games.
According to the American Association of University Women The percentage of women graduating with degrees in computer science has dropped dramatically. In 1984, women accounted for 37% of all computer science graduates, and in 2017, they accounted for only 18%. One of the biggest challenges is girls“ low interest in technology careers, which stems from a lack of mentors to motivate them to pursue training in these areas and the false perception that it is a sector ”only for men.” For this reason, we are working collaboratively to attract women and girls to technology during high school or even earlier.
The GSMA Tech4Girls program aims to reverse this trend and reduce the gender gap in the technology industry, generating benefits for women, societies, and economies.
The GSMA's Tech4Girls initiative won the 2018 Corporate Citizen Award for the Americas, presented by The Trust for the Americas.
During the event in New York, the organization’s Director of Programs will give a talk on the importance of women’s participation in technology. In this regard, María Liliana Mor, Director of Programs at The Trust, commented: “To combat the digital divide between men and women, we must encourage women to embrace technology and develop skills that promote their empowerment and well-being. As part of our mission—to promote the socioeconomic inclusion of vulnerable populations—The Trust for the Americas will implement the ”Future of Work’ approach over the next five years,”,
GSMA Tech4Girls participants will also hear from and network with professionals in the tech industry who will highlight the benefits of a STEAM education and career. The Trust for the Americas will be participating with a presentation on its programs focused on empowering women through technology.
“Closing the gender gap in the ICT sector not only improves women's lives by providing them with opportunities for economic and professional development. It is also good for the industry, because it expands the talent pool and introduces diversity into plans and decisions. At GSMA we are deeply committed to this goal and we know that we will only achieve it by working together with all relevant stakeholders, both public and private,” said Paula Ferrari, Regional Marketing Director for GSMA Latin America.
Similarly, The Trust for the Americas, in partnership with the GSMA, will bring the GSMA Tech4Girls workshops to countries where it trains vulnerable populations—mostly women—in digital skills, including computer science, through the POETA Program.
About The Trust for the Americas:
The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mission is to promote partnerships for economic and social inclusion in the Americas. Established in 1997, Trust was created to foster the participation of the public sector, the private sector, and civil society initiatives in social and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The organization’s initiatives improve communities’ access to economic opportunities, enhance public safety, and create opportunities for democratic expression and good governance. The Trust for the Americas offers local partner organizations training tools, services, products, and technical assistance to better serve vulnerable communities in the region. Visit: www.trustfortheamericas.org
Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas
About GSMA Tech4Girls
GSMA Tech4Girls offers girls technical skills development training and access to mentors and role models in the mobile sector. The initiative is part of the GSMA Women4Tech program, focused on reducing the persistent gender gap in the mobile industry. GSMA Tech4Girls was launched in March 2018 and more than 100 girls participated in workshops in Atlanta, Buenos Aires, and Guyana. Participants have developed an artificial intelligence tool like Google Home, a Kano computer, and a mobile application. The girls attending belong to vulnerable communities and local schools. For more information about the GSMA and its programs, visit: www.GSMA.com
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