As part of its research activities, HER TECH investigates the structural and social factors that impact girls’ and women’s participation in ICT and STEM. Through desk research, interviews, surveys and focus groups, the project is capturing current practises, challenges and success stories to develop evidence-based solutions that can make a real difference.
Why Poland?
Poland was chosen as an additional research country for HER TECH. And why? Because Poland is a country of contrasts: on the one hand, there is an impressive number of initiatives encouraging women to enter the ICT and STEM industries and a relatively high proportion of women in the tech workforce. On the other hand, Poland still struggles with significant gender inequality and deep-rooted stereotypes about women in technology. This dynamic mix makes Poland a fascinating and important case study for understanding what works – and what still needs to change – to create a truly level playing field.
Meeting with the IT Girls Foundation
As part of our research, we had the pleasure of speaking with Foundation IT Girls, an inspiring organisation dedicated to empowering girls and young women in technology.
Foundation IT Girls was founded in 2021 with the aim of inspiring, educating and empowering girls and young women in the world of technology. The foundation aims to break down stereotypes that still surround women in the STEM industry and build bridges so that girls can explore ICT careers with confidence and enthusiasm.
Their activities are centred around three main pillars:
Education – Through workshops, coding courses and training programmes, IT Girls gives girls practical digital skills and hands-on experience.
Inspiration – The foundation showcases role models and success stories, proving that girls can be just as successful in technology and science as boys.
Mentoring & Community – By building networks of mentors, experts and supportive peers, IT Girls ensures that girls have someone to guide them on their journey into technology.
IT Girls works with schools, universities and industry partners to organise hackathons, innovation events and mentoring programmes. They also run public campaigns that challenge stereotypes and raise awareness of the gender gap in tech.
In our interview, we explored their thoughts on gender equality in Polish education, barriers in the ICT sector and promising practises that can bring about positive change. Questions centred on stereotypes, motivation in STEM education, structural problems in vocational training and how to boost girls’ confidence in technology. The conversation was rich, insightful and inspiring – and provided valuable guidance for HER TECH’s next steps.
Moving Forward
We see huge potential for future collaboration with the IT Girls Foundation and similar initiatives in Poland to jointly promote gender equality and inclusion in ICT. The findings from this discussion will help shape HER TECH’s recommendations and inspire change across Europe.
Together, we can make the digital world truly inclusive – for everyone.
Read more about IT Girls 👇
https://www.facebook.com/fundacja.it.girls
