Ireland’s work on improving gender balance in ICT is gaining international attention as new findings from the HER TECH study reveal how the country compares with others participating in the research. Surveys distributed as part of the project, combined with interviews with relevant Irish stakeholders, including educators, programme leaders, and industry representatives provide new insights into how girls and women engage with ICT across the educational pipeline.
One of the clearest findings from the survey is Ireland’s strong emphasis on community-driven and industry-engaged activity. While participants in other countries more frequently reported involvement in policy advisory roles, Irish respondents were more likely to be active in hands-on or operational roles within gender-equality initiatives.
This suggests that Ireland’s gender-equality work in ICT is often driven from the ground up, through collaboration between practitioners, educators, and industry partners, rather than primarily through national policy mechanisms.
Another area where Ireland stands out is the degree of influence social media has on girls aged 13–17. According to survey results, Irish respondents reported that social media influencers have a stronger impact on girls’ perceptions of ICT than reported in other countries surveyed. Interviews with Irish stakeholders echoed this, with several noting that online creators increasingly shape how young women view careers, confidence, and identity, sometimes positively, sometimes reinforcing stereotypes about technology fields.
While international respondents often identified lack of confidence as the main barrier for girls entering ICT, Irish participants instead emphasised persistent stereotypes and limited visibility of women working in ICT. This suggests that, in Ireland:
- Cultural messaging about “who belongs in tech” continues to shape choices.
- Girls often lack relatable role models visibly working in ICT.
- Confidence issues are present but appear to be a consequence of these broader cultural factors.
In this research, across all countries, practical interventions such as coding workshops, mentorship, and experiential learning were rated among the most effective strategies to support girls into ICT. Irish respondents, however, rated these even more highly than their international peers. This reflects the ongoing emphasis in Ireland on:
- Practical exposure to ICT
- Real-world projects
- Opportunities to meet and learn from women in digital roles
- Sustained engagement rather than one-off events
According to stakeholders interviewed, these approaches build confidence, counter stereotypes, and help girls imagine themselves in STEM roles.
What differentiates Ireland is the strength of collaborative action already underway across the country. With continued collaboration and strategic investment, Ireland is well positioned to further strengthen girls’ and women’s engagement in digital fields.
