In a world where the gender gap in technology is huge, initiatives like SheCodes are emerging to make a difference. The nonprofit organisation SheCodes aims to offer women in developing countries and refugee women a unique opportunity: the chance to learn coding skills for free. This movement is not just about bridging the technology gap between men and women but also a powerful response to the economic and educational inequalities that affect women worldwide.
The vision and initiatives of SheCodes
The platform teaches coding and provides a comprehensive introduction to product development, design, and leadership, equipping women with the skills they need to succeed in the technology industry. In partnership with Girls Who Code, SheCodes guarantees that girls can learn multiple programming languages, including Scratch, Python, Thunkable, Javascript, and Swift. After completing each level, participants receive certificates from both SheCodes and Girls Who Code. This reinforces their coding skills and provides tangible recognition of their achievements.
SheCodes’ holistic approach to empowerment
The platform doesn’t just teach coding skills; its vision is to achieve gender equality in the tech sector, mainly in India. SheCodes is paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse tech sector by organising hackathons and supporting girls to access higher education, startups, and corporate jobs. The organisation has forged strategic partnerships with technical institutes like IIT Delhi to facilitate scholarships and mentorship and ensure a seamless transition from education to work.
Economic impact: Closing the gender pay gap in the tech sector
SheCodes recognises the economic impact of its mission. Jobs in the tech sector have much higher salaries: employees earn 26% more than in other sectors. Closing the gender gap in the tech sector doesn’t just empower women; it also contributes to economic growth. According to the Hired 2021 study, men were offered 59% higher salaries than women for the same job in the same company. The study found that women were offered 2.5% lower pay than men for the same job.
Women also lost more jobs than men during the pandemic, with more than 5 million women losing their jobs since February 2020. Women often take on the ‘invisible work’ of running a household, and the pandemic has exacerbated this phenomenon.
Engaging the next generation: the audience and impact of SheCodes
SheCodes Foundation focuses on girls aged 11-18 in public schools who face economic and social barriers to accessing quality technical education. By creating coding clubs in public schools, SheCodes aims to empower girls, train teachers in coding, and help create computer classes to make technical education accessible to all. The organization’s five-year plan is to expand to all Delhi government schools and give girls the tools they need to succeed in their careers and lives.
Meeting the challenge: Strengthening STEM and digital skills
SheCodes directly addresses the challenge of empowering girls and young women, particularly in STEM and digital skills. By closing the gender technology gap and increasing digital skills, SheCodes is preparing girls for successful careers and contributing to the country’s overall economic well-being.
“The aim is to offer SheCodes workshops at no cost to women living in select developing countries who are facing serious financial and educational challenges, along with women who are refugees. When I started SheCodes, it was a non-profit. During our past onsite workshops, I always mentioned that my ultimate goal for SheCodes was to open a school providing free education. I’m happy to turn this initial idea into a reality,” – writes the CEO, Matt Delac, in his open letter.
