Changing the Public Face of Women in Information and
Communications Technology
Advancing the status of
women in ICT, begins with girls
who are beginning to think about career choices. It is
necessary to change the public face of ICT for these young
women to take interest. “Instead of trying to make girls fit
into the existing computer culture, the computer culture
must become more inviting for girls.” said
Sherry Turkle, Professor of
Sociology at MIT.
Supporting Young Women in Career Choices
The ZONTA Club of
Armidale Inc. has taken the initiative to promote the full
involvement by girls and young women currently
under-represented in many
computer-related endeavors. Through discussions with
representatives of secondary and tertiary educational
institutions, industry, and business, the ZONTA Club of
Armidale found that few local women were engaged in the ICT
industry.
School students
participate in the integrated programs in Years 7-10,
however, there are very few who choose IT programs (software
development, VET CII in IT, or Industry IPT) in Years 11
&12. (Armidale High has none in 2004.) They do not appear to
see themselves within the industry. There are few role
models and mentors.
Why
‘ZONTA E-girls’?
ZONTA Armidale E-girls
Workshops create the opportunity for Year 10 girls in the
New England region to meet and learn from women currently
working in the industry. They experience the reality rather
than the stereotype. Girls tend to imagine that ICT
professionals live in a solitary, antisocial, and sedentary
world. This is an alienating and incorrect perception of
careers that rely heavily on computer technology and
expertise in this century.
Team-work and
communication, problem-solving and creativity are required
skills to succeed in ICT professions.
Australian Research conducted in New England
The research study, Women
and Computers, conducted in 1998 involving women from the
New England Region, discussed issues and physical barriers
which prevent women from seeking training and careers in
ICT. A variety of recommendations resulted from this study,
among which were:
·
Training
providers seek proportionate gender representation through
action planning to address the current differences in
participation.
·
Identify and
implement recruitment strategies to encourage enrolment
into training programs
·
Support
groups for female students in ICT be organised with a
nominated coordinator, administrative support and use of
local facilities, including the construction and publication
of a dedicated website for and by female students.
·
Develop
career information sessions to provide more information
about career opportunities both before and after enrolments.
·
Develop and
implement strategies to address the negative perception
women (girls) have of ITC jobs.
In 2003, The Armidale
Zonta Club raised funds to facilitate and support young
women who are interested in ICT and Engineering. These funds
are to be allocated to:
1.
informing girls of career
opportunities in Engineering and Information and
Communications Technology; and
2.
providing
scholarships for young women studying Engineering,
Mathematics, Physical Sciences, or ICT related studies.
Why
Support Engineering and ICT Careers?
A detail research study
conducted by the AAUW Educational Foundation Commission on
Technology, Gender and Teacher Education found that:
·
Girls represent 17% of
students taking Computer Science subjects in Year 10, and
less than 10% at higher levels.
·
Women are roughly 20 % of
ICT professionals.
·
Women studying Computer
Science is declining! They receive less that 28% of the
computer science bachelor’s degrees, which is down from a
high in 1984 of 37%.
·
Women make up just 9% of
the recipients of engineering-related Bachelor degrees.
