Educational support project for 200 children

In a world where technology is advancing faster than ever, it is essential that all girls have the opportunity to explore and thrive in the exciting field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). On April 25th, we celebrated International Girls in ICT Day, a celebration aimed at closing the gender gap in this vital field.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) established this day in 2010 to inspire girls and young women to consider a career in technology areas. Since then, it has become an opportunity to promote gender equality in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), something crucial for building more inclusive and sustainable societies.

According to UNESCO, girls represent only 27% of students in ICT careers and 28% in engineering. This disparity is concerning, especially when we consider that by 2050, 75% of jobs will be related to STEM. It is urgent to close this gap to ensure an equitable and prosperous future for all.

How to solve it?

To address this challenge, it is fundamental to eliminate gender stereotypes and promote female role models in the technology field. Additionally, we must provide ICT education from an early age and empower girls to feel capable and confident in this field.

It is time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women in technology, as well as to take concrete steps to close the gender digital divide.

From our organization, we work to break the gender gap in the STEM world and to promote female role models in this field. We also have various robotics programs that introduce girls and boys to technology and engineering in a playful way, while also fostering values such as teamwork and respect.

School dropout is more noticeable among Spanish girls, boys, and adolescents whose families are at risk of poverty and social exclusion. In Spain, the existence of a public education system may lead to the assumption that all minors have guaranteed access to free and quality education, but unfortunately, this is not always the case.

One in three Spanish children is at risk of poverty or social exclusion, and the socio-economic conditions of their families impact their education. This is evidenced by the fact that 16.7% of students were forced to drop out of school prematurely, according to a study by the Center for Economic Policies at Esade (EsadeEcPol).

Furthermore, this text highlights how the difference in income and socio-economic level between two children of the same age affects their educational level. For example, the difference between a child from a low socio-economic background and one from a high socio-economic background in a grade such as 3rd grade, in subjects like mathematics and language, is equivalent to almost two years of schooling difference.

However, school dropout is not the only educational consequence affecting girls, boys, and adolescents at risk of poverty or social exclusion. There are other effects that also impact their academic formation:

- The digital divide affects access to education because households with an income below 900 euros have more difficulties in having a computer and internet connection, thus limiting their educational opportunities. According to the Children's Platform, 500,000 children live in homes without a computer, and nearly 100,000 children do not have internet access at home.
- Less likelihood, or even impossibility, of participating in extracurricular activities that reinforce their physical well-being (sports, leisure, or recreational activities) or strengthen skills, where they can enjoy and derive satisfaction. Not being able to participate negatively impacts their development and hinders their social integration.
- Children from low-income families and socio-economic difficulties have lower academic achievement, a higher rate of grade repetition, and higher levels of absenteeism.