As National Coding Week kicks off on the 16th of September, a glaring issue within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) landscape comes into focus: the gender gap. According to recent statistics, women make up only 27% of the STEM workforce, with female coders representing a mere 18.17% of professionals in programming, software development, and web design. A further alarming trend shows the number of girls taking computing at GCSE level has more than halved since 2015. Many of these young women report feeling that computer science doesn’t align with their career aspirations and that it appears more challenging than other subjects. new report
In an effort to raise awareness of these issues and inspire the next generation of female coders, Save My Exams, an online education platform, is shedding light on the barriers women face in this male-dominated field. CEO Constance Mantle shares her thoughts on the coding gender gap and how we can address it.
The Origins of the Gender Gap
“Coding is laced with harmful stereotypes,” explains Mantle. “If I asked students or even parents to picture a coder or computer science student, the image most would conjure is that of a white man in glasses, hunched over a computer, perhaps someone who’s been obsessed with technology since childhood. This stereotypical image can be incredibly damaging because it reinforces the notion that coding isn’t for everyone, particularly women.”
Studies show that boys and girls are introduced to coding and computer sciences differently from a young age. Boys are more likely to be encouraged to explore these areas, while girls often shy away. “This isn’t due to inherent gender differences,” adds Mantle, “but because of societal influences that shape perceptions as children grow older.”
Understanding the Gender Disparity
“The gender gap in coding is significant and troubling,” Mantle continues. “The STEM workforce is overwhelmingly male, with only 18.17% of coding roles held by women, and just 5% of top tech positions occupied by females. If girls don’t see women in these roles, it’s hard for them to envision a place for themselves in the field.”
This absence of female role models contributes to a lack of aspiration among girls considering careers in coding. It’s not simply that girls aren’t interested in coding, but that they often don’t see the subject as a viable or welcoming option for them.
How Can We Inspire Girls to Code?
To tackle this issue, Mantle believes it’s essential to challenge stereotypes and offer young girls the encouragement and tools they need to succeed.
Celebrating Women in STEM
“Teachers and parents need to highlight the achievements of women in STEM, both historically and today,” Mantle suggests. “Instead of always discussing figures like Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg, why not share stories about trailblazers like Katherine Johnson, the brilliant mathematician known as the ‘human computer’, or Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, the first woman to qualify as a doctor in the UK?”
By spotlighting female role models, girls can start to see that women have been contributing to technological advances for centuries and that they too can be a part of this legacy.
Challenging Stereotypes
Challenging stereotypes must be an ongoing effort. “Whether it’s in the classroom, media, or family conversations, we must commit to consciously addressing and dismantling these outdated views,” Mantle insists. “By doing so, we can reshape the narrative of who a coder is—and who she can be.”
Early Encouragement
Another critical step is early encouragement. “Girls are often overlooked when it comes to coding and tech,” Mantle notes. “Starting early is key. Encourage girls to take part in coding challenges or STEM competitions. Not only will this build their confidence, but it will also develop their problem-solving skills and show them firsthand that they are more than capable of excelling in these fields.”
A Future for Women in Coding
National Coding Week is an ideal moment to reflect on the work that remains to be done to close the gender gap in coding. By celebrating the accomplishments of women in STEM, challenging outdated stereotypes, and encouraging young girls to pursue coding, we can begin to create a more inclusive and diverse future in technology.
As Constance Mantle says, “Coding is for everyone, and it’s time we made that clear to the next generation of female innovators.”