Attracting girls to information technology

Abstract

There is evidence [1, 2] which indicates that girls in the UK continue to be less likely than boys to get involved in using IT or to pursue careers in IT. Contributory factors are difficulties in getting access to computers, the absence of positive female role models, lack of awareness by intermediaries such as teachers and careers staff, lack of parental and social encouragement, and the absence of software which will capture the early interest of girls. The needs of girls and young women embarking on their careers, and of particular groups, such as ethnic minority girls, need to be addressed. The National Council for Educational Technology (NCET) and the Women Into Information Technology Foundation Ltd. (WIT) have launched a joint project to develop and pilot change initiatives for employers, educators and parents in order to encourage girls to pursue careers in IT.