IGF 2023 Lightning Talk #1 Breaking Barriers: Empowering Girls Through the First Female Coding Club in Cambodia, Sisters of Code

Time
Monday, 9th October, 2023 (00:50 UTC) - Tuesday, 10th October, 2023 (00:10 UTC)
Room
SC – Room H
Subtheme

Digital Divides & Inclusion
Gender Digital Divide
Skills Building for Basic and Advanced Technologies (Meaningful Access)

Theme
Digital Divides & Inclusion

IT Academy STEP Cambodia Institute, Sisters of Code
Sisters of Code, the first female coding club in Cambodia

Speakers

Sisters of Code, IT Academy STEP Cambodia Institute

Onsite Moderator

Natalja Rodionova

Online Moderator

Sokuntepy Chriv

Rapporteur

Sokuntepy Chriv

SDGs

4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth

Targets: Sisters of Code, the first female coding club in Cambodia, is closely linked to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Gender Equality, Quality Education, and Decent Work and Economic Growth. The program was established in 2019 to empower female students and challenge long-held gender stereotypes in a field heavily dominated by males. By offering free educational programs to girls, Sisters of Code aims to provide real solutions to the challenges that female students face and help them grow confidence. In doing so, Sisters of Code contributes to the SDG of Gender Equality by promoting women's access to education and professional opportunities. The program also promotes Quality Education by providing girls with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the technology industry. Finally, Sisters of Code contributes to the SDG of Decent Work and Economic Growth by helping to close the gender gap in the technology sector, where female representation is still relatively low. Through the program, girls can gain the skills and experience necessary to secure meaningful employment in the field of technology. Overall, Sisters of Code is an important initiative that aligns with several SDGs and has the potential to make a significant impact on girls' lives in Cambodia.

Format

Lightning talk, presentation

Duration (minutes)
20
Language
English
Description

This lightning talk aims to ignite innovative conversations and partnerships, encouraging global stakeholders to consider establishing and supporting female coding clubs nationally. Specifically, the Sisters of Code will be highlighted in the talk, exploring the club's empowering impact on Cambodian girls and the challenges faced in creating the first female coding club in the country. The talk also address the importance of female representation in the tech industry and the potential for similar initiatives to be replicated globally. This talk is not only a call to action for female empowerment in technology, but also a practical guide for the attendees to implement similar programs, sharing insights and working methods.

1. we will have a dedicated moderator to manage online attendees comments and cover in the Q&A session 2. the session will be designed as a lightning talk with case presentation, as well as will have Q&A session to engage attendees in the discussion and facilitate collaboration and discussion of possible actions. 3. we will use in built tools so we do not overwhelm participants with extra efforts.

Key Takeaways (* deadline 2 hours after session)

Sisters of Code provides an empowering and practical model for establishing female coding clubs globally to increase female representation in technology.

Call to Action (* deadline 2 hours after session)

We encourage all stakeholders - companies, organizations, governments, and individuals - to explore opportunities to establish and support female coding clubs in your communities, inspired by the impactful model of Cambodia's Sisters of Code. Together we can create a more diverse, equitable and innovative tech industry where women and girls have equal opportunities for better future.

Session Report (* deadline 26 October) - click on the ? symbol for instructions

The lightning talk highlighted the Sisters of Code program in Cambodia, which provides coding education and technology training to girls to increase female representation in the tech industry. The talk explored the empowering impact of this first female coding club in Cambodia and addressed the importance of similar initiatives globally.

Key takeaways included the practical model Sisters of Code provides for establishing after-school coding clubs for girls and the call to action for stakeholders to support and replicate such empowering programs for women and girls in tech in other countries.

During the Q&A, attendees asked whether the Sisters of Code model could be successfully created in other countries. The speaker confirmed that the methodology and experience from Cambodia can be shared to set up clubs addressing the gender divide in tech in any enthusiastic community with local support.

Regarding training on online security, the speaker explained that digital safety is an important part of the Sisters of Code curriculum and is taught from the start.

Overall, the audience was highly engaged and inspired by the presentation. Attendees gave encouraging feedback and positive comments about the empowering mission of Sisters of Code and its potential for impact.

 

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