"For the digital future - More women in computing!"
The professional world, certainly including computer science, is changing. Digitalisation is increasing the importance of the so-called STEM disciplines (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology) for professions in a wide range of industries. However, it is precisely in these STEM fields that women are significantly underrepresented today. This is why ICTswitzerland - the umbrella organisation of the ICT industry - is calling on politicians, the education system, business and society to create fair and attractive framework conditions for women in IT.
According to the WEF study "The Future of Jobs". [1] will significantly change the quality, location, format and duration of new jobs in computing. Jobs will shift between continents and, depending on the technology acceptance and adaptability of the workforce, different impacts will be felt across industries. Women in Switzerland will also be affected:
Today, a large proportion work in the typical commercial professions, which will come under strong pressure. In the professions that are gaining in importance with digitalisation, the STEM disciplines are in demand and it is precisely there that women are lacking. Today, women are consistently underrepresented in computer science apprenticeships. In 2018, women accounted for only 11% of these degrees.
With the position paper "For the digital future - More women in IT!", ICTswitzerland's Education Commission is calling for everyone to do their part to make the framework conditions in Switzerland more attractive and fairer for women in IT.
Dr. Alain Gut, President of the Education Commission, emphasises: "In order to ensure Switzerland's economic success in the future, we must massively increase the proportion of women in STEM subjects, especially in IT. This requires commitment and a cultural rethink from all of us.
The position paper of the Education Commission includes the following demands:
- The federal government, cantons, municipalities and foundations are encouraged to promote STEM initiatives aimed specifically at girls.
- Education and training directorates as well as teacher training colleges should increase their efforts to ensure gender-appropriate teaching. The aim of the primary school should be the equality of women and men or girls and boys. It has the pedagogical mandate to guarantee equal opportunities for both genders.
- The family environment, teachers, vocational educators and career counsellors are called upon to support girls in choosing a "gender-atypical" profession and to strengthen their self-confidence with regard to their mathematical abilities. Only in this way can the segregation be softened.
- Employers in the IT sector and all other sectors that employ IT specialists should work to make IT professions more attractive. It should be ensured that salaries and further training opportunities for women are improved and that flexible working hours and working time are offered for all areas of responsibility as soon as they enter the profession.
- The providers of training and study courses are responsible for better presenting the field of application and benefits of STEM education.
- In this sense, politicians at national, cantonal and local level are called upon to champion the concerns listed.
In order to promote women in computer science, a cultural change must take place. A rethinking in the companies, in the training institutions, in the educational administration, in the career guidance, but also in the family and especially in the educational policy is necessary. Modern forms of work and target group-oriented marketing for a positive image of IT professions are required.
To the complete position paper: download pdf
