Continuing the discussion about Italian measures for genre equality, an interesting trend can be observed: while measures are being taken to increase female employment in STEM, one of the main issues in future employment is education, especially in schools.
In Italy, the “digital divide” is mainly about a cultural script that often excludes girls before they even reach high school. The HerTech National Report shows that by the time girls are 13, they are already navigating a world of “pre-coded” stereotypes—as we already discussed in an older article—where tech is framed as a game for boys and girls are conditioned to prioritize perfection over experimentation.
To change this, we must move beyond the occasional workshop. Again, according to the report, schools and families have the greatest influence on girls aged 5–16. The Italian experience can teach us important lessons about making STEM education work for everyone.
The Issue: a “Pre-coded” Cultural Script
The gender gap in Italy doesn’t come from a lack of interest, but is a result of several barriers:
- Internalized Failure: While boys are often encouraged to take risks, girls frequently internalize technical difficulties as a personal lack of ability (“I’m not good enough”) rather than a difficult problem to solve.
- Influencer Gap: For girls aged 13–17, friends and social media influencers are the strongest drivers of career perceptions. If they don’t see relatable women in tech on their feeds, the field remains “invisible”.
- Passive School Systems: Many Italian respondents feel the current educational system is not yet doing enough to actively de-stereotype ICT, often relying on “neutral” materials that implicitly favor boys .
Success Stories of Initiatives That Are Having an Impact
There are some Italian programs have found the “secret sauce” for engaging adolescent girls, such as
- Girls Code It Better: This initiative uses a “club format” that fosters a sense of sisterhood and peer alliance. By working in teams rather than competing individually, girls build technical skills in a safe, supportive environment.
- Technovation Girls: This program shifts the focus from “coding for the sake of coding” to social impact. Girls identify community problems and build mobile apps or AI tools to solve them, making technology feel meaningful and useful.
- AIxGIRLS – Summer Tech Camp: A free summer camp that trains high school girls on the new AI technologies, including ethical and practical aspects, with the objective of bridging the digital gender gap.
- Ragazze Digitali ER: Regional summer camps in the Emilia Romagna region that offer hands-on training in Python and AI.
What Makes an Initiative Effective?
The report identifies four common denominators that determine if a school program will succeed:
- Playful, Non-Competitive Learning: Introducing coding through creative activities reduces the fear of failure before it becomes a permanent part of a girl’s identity.
- Mentors as Cheerleaders: The most effective mentors are motivators who walk alongside girls, teaching them about handling difficulties and providing relational support.
- Real-World Utility: Girls are significantly more engaged when technology is presented as a tool for social utility (e.g., environmental sustainability or health).
- Territorial Reach: For programs to be truly inclusive, they must reach beyond major cities (like Milan or Rome) to rural and disadvantaged areas, granting access to a wide range of girls.
The Roadmap for Schools
To turn these best practices into a national standard, it’s recommended by the report that future policies:
- Invest in Teacher Training: Educators need tools to recognize and counteract gendered self-doubt and inclusive pedagogies that engage all students.
- Integrate in Curricula: Early ICT exposure should be a standard part of primary and lower secondary education, not just an “extra” activity.
- Involve the Family: Since parents are the primary influence on young girls, schools should host awareness-building activities to show families the many career opportunities in the digital economy.
