By Ikupolusi Ariyike
The world is driven by innovation; education and technology are at the forefront of global progress. Yet, for decades, women and girls have been underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Despite these challenges, young women and girls are breaking barriers, reshaping the landscape of education and technology, and proving that gender is no limitation to brilliance.
From coding boot camps to AI research, girls worldwide are stepping into tech spaces with confidence, creativity, and resilience. Their contributions not only bridge the gender gap but also bring fresh perspectives to solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
The Gender Gap in STEM: Challenges and Progress
Historically, STEM fields have been male-dominated, with societal stereotypes and a lack of representation discouraging girls from pursuing tech-related careers. According to UNESCO, only 35% of STEM students in higher education globally are women, with even lower numbers in fields like engineering and computer science.
However, change is happening. Organizations like Girls Who Code, Black Girls Code, and Technovation are empowering young women with skills, mentorship, and opportunities. Governments and corporations are also investing in initiatives to encourage girls in STEM, from robotics competitions to scholarships for women in tech.
Girls Leading the Way in Tech and Education
1. Young Innovators Making Waves
Across the globe, girls are making groundbreaking contributions:
- Gitanjali Rao – Named Time’s first-ever Kid of the Year in 2020, Gitanjali invented a device to detect lead in water and developed an app to combat cyberbullying.
- Samaira Mehta – At just 10 years old, she created CoderBunnyz, a board game to teach kids coding concepts, inspiring thousands of young coders.
- Anne-Marie Imafidon – A prodigy who passed A-level computing at 11, she founded Stemettes, a UK-based initiative supporting girls in STEM.
2. Education Advocates Transforming Classrooms
Beyond technology, girls are revolutionizing education:
- Malala Yousafzai – A Nobel Prize laureate, Malala fights for girls’ education worldwide through the Malala Fund, ensuring millions have access to schooling.
- Bella Devyatkina – A young polyglot who speaks 8 languages, she inspires children to embrace multilingual learning from an early age.
3. Grassroots Movements and Digital Inclusion
Girls in developing nations are leveraging technology to overcome barriers:
- In Africa, initiatives like She Code Africa equip girls with coding skills.
- In India, RoboChamps encourages schoolgirls to pursue robotics and AI.
How Society Can Support Girls in Tech
To sustain this momentum, we must:
- Encourage early exposure – Introduce coding, robotics, and STEM activities in schools.
- Provide mentorship – Connect girls with women leaders in tech for guidance.
- Challenge stereotypes– Promote positive representation of women in STEM media and culture.
- Invest in accessibility– Ensure girls in underserved communities have access to tech education.
Conclusion: The Future is Female-Coded
The future of education and technology is being rewritten by girls who refuse to be sidelined. Their innovations, advocacy, and determination are dismantling outdated norms and creating a more inclusive digital world.
As society continues to support and amplify their voices, we move closer to a future where gender equality in STEM is not the exception but the standard.
Let’s celebrate, empower, and invest in the girls who are shaping tomorrow.
