At 9:30 that morning, some girls are late for RER line B. Others have breakfast at ISCOM Cafe in Paris. BECOMTECH association conducts a free 4-week training course “JUMP IN TECH” on the premises of this school of communication and advertising. It is reserved for young women between the ages of 14 and 17 to introduce them to the digital professions and show them that they belong there. When the sixteen girls gather in the classroom, the day begins with inclusion. A circle is formed and we give the news of the day. Then everyone tells an anecdote from their weekend. After the tour is over, it’s time for the workshops. Today it is “CSS”, a formatting tool used for the HTML or XML computer languages.
Between community management, learning social media, or getting started with coding, many workshops are offered. Thanks to JUMP IN TECH’s funding partners (Total Foundation, Adobe, Lenovo, etc.), the training is completely free with meals and transportation. It operates in seven French cities (Nantes, Lyon, Sergi…) or online.
56% of high school girls are interested in digital, 37% are
“The levels are very different”says Fanny Duvall, a digital communication coach. “Some come in and don’t know or master anything. We want to show them that being a woman is not an obstacle, that there are no gender prerequisites. At the end of the training, the girls gain self-confidence.”. Training for these young women shows a wide range of backgrounds and professions. “I learned a lot in one week. Everyone goes at their own pace and the coaches make time for us, even on WhatsApp in the evening if we have questions. confides Benedict, who, like many, applied by sending in his file after a program presentation at his high school. “Everyone helps each other despite age differences.” According to Anais, noticing the formation in the subway. “My mother works in the IT field and passed that passion on to me from an early age. I never considered it a men’s environment.
Today, women represent 30% of digital workers. This number drops to 18.5% when it comes to positions of responsibility, according to a 2019 study by AnitaB.org. When it comes to high school girls, only 37% are considering digital learning, while 56% seem interested. Although women pioneered technology, the boom in the field in the 1980s and 1990s pushed men to take over most of the positions. This can lead to economic and social difficulties as digital employment grows rapidly and recruiting needs are felt. This also creates problems for the exploitation of artificial intelligence. If few women work on their development, sexist biases and discriminatory effects are likely to recur.
Benedict adds: “Our generation and the next generation will change things. I wouldn’t accept being treated differently because I’m a woman.”. To finish the morning, the girls prepare a roundtable that takes place in the afternoon of the same day, with the participation of digital specialists from companies such as Adobe, Hokla, Okta or Qonto. To give an opportunity to all the questions that cross their minds about the reality of these professions, the difficulties faced by a woman and to make the first contact book.
Escort the girls after practice
Throughout the year, BECOMTECH’s work is showcased with awareness campaigns in colleges and high schools. The focus is on three themes: digital opportunities, career discovery and gender equality.
At the end of four weeks, trained students automatically become ambassadors. 70% of them plan to go digital. The association remains in touch with them to assist them in their search for internships and to guide them in their post-baccalaureate studies. Meanwhile, on a voluntary basis, alumni participate in outreach programs or support future JUMP IN TECH sessions. Continued transfer from year to year. “When we go back to talk to the girls, we explain to them the importance of knowing these areas.”assures Joel, a former contestant and ambassador. “They are at a turning point, because in the third and second stages we make important decisions about the courses and subjects to follow. For example, the NSI major (Digital and Computer Science) is often avoided by girls who tell them it’s not for them, but it’s not emphasized enough. We need to promote IT through women’s work to reach the stuck..
Source: Le Figaro
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.