Girls in ICTs – Problems or Possibilities

Lenandlar Singh (Len)Head – Department of Computer

ScienceUniversity of Guyana

OUTLINE

• History of Women in Computing

• Issues with Girls in ICTs

• IT/CS Statistics from CSEC and UG

• Recommendations

History of Women in Computing

History of Women in Computing

History of Women in Computing

History of Women in Computing

History of Women in Computing

History of Women in Computing

History of Women in Computing

History of Women in Computing

Random Questions

• What is the significance of the “Girls in ICT Day”?

• How many of you are taking IT at CSEC/CAPE?

• How many of you will go on to IT/CS/ICT field after High School?

• What kinds of ICT-related jobs do you know about?

• Do you believe there is a gender issue in ICTs?

History of Women in Computing

• Women were the original programmers of theENIAC in the US Government in the 1980s

• Young women were earning 37% of the Computing degrees in the US in the 80s, today it is 20%

Girls and the ICT IssueWhat we know?• It is a numeric problem: less girls/women

studying and working in ICT-related fields

• The is a gender gap in ICTs around the world

• More ICT jobs are created globally, demand for skills in ICTs higher

Girls and the ICT Issue

Computer and Internet Usage• Teenage boys and girls use Computers and the

Internet at similar rates

• Girls are five (5) times less likely to consider a technology-related career than boys

– Why?

Girls and the ICT IssueSome suggested causes from research…• Computer Experience, preferences, attitudes• Mentors and Role Models• Self-Confidence• Computer Environments/Work Environments• Societal Influence• Teacher and Family Encouragement• Balancing Work and Family

Why problem needs to be addressed?• ICT is a growing sector for employment e.g.

– The European Union calculates that in ten years’ time there will be 700 000 more ICT jobs than there are professionals to fill them;

– In the US 800 000 jobs in ICTs: U.S. Bureau of labor statistics estimates a 21.8% growth in ICT jobs in the United States by 2020

– 200 000 in Brazil– globally, that shortfall is estimated to be closer to two million

• ICT is key for economic and social development

• We need to enrich the talent pool

Girls in ICTs in the Caribbean

CSEC IT Grades – 2008:2012 (OVERALL)

Males Females

Total Candidates 2008-2012

1 2 30

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

MaleFemale

Number of students with Grades 1-3 over last 5 years CSEC IT

CSEC IT Grades – 2008:2012 (OVERALL)

2008(G) 2008(T) 2009 (G) 2009(T) 2010 2011 20120

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

MaleFemale

CSEC IT 2008:2012 - Grade 1

CSEC IT Grades – 2008:2012 (OVERALL)

2008(G) 2008(T) 2009 (G) 2009(T) 2010 2011 20120

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

MaleFemale

CSEC IT 2008:2012 - Grade 2

CSEC IT Grades – 2008:2012 (OVERALL)

2008(G) 2008(T) 2009 (G) 2009(T) 2010 2011 20120

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

MaleFemale

CSEC IT 2008:2012 - Grade 3

What happens at CSEC IT?

• Number of females writing CSEC IT not an issue relative to number of males (more)

• Number of females passing CSEC IT not an issue relative to number of males (better)

• Number of females qualified to study CS/IT at tertiary level compared to boys (not known)– Maths requirement– English requirement

Girls in Computing at UG

Registration Statistics – Diploma in CS @ UG

2008 2009 2010 2011 20120

102030405060708090

100

MaleFemale

Diploma Registration

2008 2009 2010 2011 20120

102030405060708090

100

MaleFemale

Diploma Registration

Registration Statistics – Degree in CS @ UG

2008 2009 2010 2011 20120

5

10

15

20

25

30

MaleFemale

Degree Registration

2008 2009 2010 2011 20120

5

10

15

20

25

30

MaleFemale

Degree Registration

Graduation Statistics – Diploma in CS @UG

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 20140

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

MaleFemale

Diploma Graduates

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 20140

20406080

100120140160

MaleFemale

Diploma Graduates

Graduation Statistics – Degree in CS @UG

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 20140

5

10

15

20

25

30

MaleFemale

Degree Graduates

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 20140

5

10

15

20

25

30

MaleFemale

Degree Graduates

Girls in Computing @ UG

• 4 of 5 recent best graduating CS students are females

• 50% of teaching staff are females

• Very small number of female Graduates compared to male (approximately 3 times less)

Problem with Girls in ICTs in Guyana

• Do we have a problem?– What is it?– How should it be addressed?– What can we do individually and collectively?

Why not more females in ICTs at Tertiary Level in Guyana?

• Entrance Requirements issue?

• Perception of the field?

• Opportunities for studying, employment?

• Studying other important fields?

Gender Divide in ICTs and the Future

• Complex, multi-dimensional Issue – has to be examined carefully, and issues must be strategically addressed

• Computing Industry is changing – more jobs, ICT field is very diverse; there’s more to ICTs than writing computer code (programming)

• Work options are changing e.g. telecommuting

• ICTs are in every sphere of work – health, education, agriculture, sewing, etc

Career Options in ICTs

• Teaching• Writing• Programming/Software Development• Designing• Analysis• Engineering• Entrepreneurship• “e-Everything”

Recommendations

• What should we do in Guyana?– Do not panic

– Examine the gender issue further; need to understand clearly the root of the problem(if there is indeed a problem)

While it is tempting to say we have a massiveproblem(we may have) based on other countries,we need to understand our context.

Engaging women and girls in ICT sector work is not only the right thing to do from the point of social justice. It is also smart economics.

(Digital Inclusion Report, 2012)

Thank You!!!