WOMANIZE IT. Tools to increase motivation and substantive support for women planning a career in IT.

By project DEBUTING

Published on 10 February 2025

Poland

Pomorskie

About this good practice

The evolving world of technology shows that gender equality is still a challenge, including in the IT sector. Although the number of women in the industry is growing, there are still barriers, myths and harmful stereotypes that inhibit the full participation of women in the IT sector. Statistics show that women are a minority in programming teams and in management positions in technology companies. The relatively low representation of women in this sector may also be due to pay inequality, lack of role models.

Womanize IT aims to provide tools that will allow women to develop in the field of new technologies.

Womanize IT is a program created for women who dream of a career in IT, but need support to achieve their goal. Regardless of whether a woman is just starting her adventure with technology or has some experience, this program was to provide the right tools, knowledge and motivation to succeed.

The support program included a series of substantive meetings. Participants took part in valuable webinars/workshops that comprehensively prepared them for the change of career. They included the following topics:
-Where to start your adventure in the IT industry?
-How to effectively enter the job market?
-Diversity of training and courses
-What tools to choose and what steps to take to effectively use your capabilities?

The project was implemented by INTERIZON Pomeranian ICT Cluster and substantive support by the CODE:ME Foundation and FLYNERD.

Expert opinion

Programmes like WOMANIZE IT are needed to break down gender barriers in the IT sector and to encourage and support more women in taking up a career in IT. The programme also highlights how one initiative or intervention can inform follow-up actions for the same goals.

Mart Veliste

Works at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Resources needed

Involvement of a substantive partner responsible for preparing thematic modules for project participants.
Involvement of IT companies that are interested in accepting interns or employing program participants.
External funds form Social Business Accelerator/Pomeranian Special Economic Zone.

Evidence of success

Project provided real support (mechanisms and tools) for the development of careers in the IT sector.

- Nearly 200 participants.
- Inspiring panels featuring women leaders and IT experts.
- Communication, leadership and substantive skills.
- Solidarity and network within the IT sector.

WomanizeIT inspired to the creation of the supra-regional project SHE CODE:ME (further develop women's careers in IT with cybersecurity topics) and the Hello IT conference (part of Programmer's Week 2023).

Potential for learning or transfer

This practice offers significant potential for learning and transfer to other regions due to its comprehensive and flexible approach to addressing challenges faced by women in professional settings, particularly in still male-dominated sectors like the IT industry.

Key success factors include exchanging knowledge from professionals and also entrance to the network of IT companies offering internship or job. The inclusion of inspiring workshops and sessions fosters a sense of solidarity and provides real-world insights into overcoming industry-specific challenges.

Women and their talents can be the driving force of IT industry. Women's strengths are creativity and determination, which have a huge potential in shaping innovations in IT sector. This requires supporting, encouraging and promoting girls and women to learn programming and the related know-how. It is important to create safe spaces at work, eliminate prejudices and strive for fair employment conditions.