Girls in Tech

Girls in Tech: Building the Pipeline for the Next Generation of Women in Technology

The technology industry shapes nearly every aspect of modern life, from the apps on our phones to the algorithms that influence hiring decisions, healthcare diagnostics, and financial systems. Yet the people building this technology remain overwhelmingly male. Girls in tech are not just an afterthought or a diversity checkbox — they represent the untapped majority of human potential that the industry desperately needs. When we fail to include girls in technology from an early age, we lose out on the perspectives, creativity, and problem-solving approaches that lead to better products for everyone.

The pipeline problem is real and well-documented. While girls show equal aptitude and interest in STEM subjects during elementary school, a steady erosion begins in middle school and accelerates through high school and college. By the time women enter the workforce, they represent only 28% of the computing and mathematical workforce, according to the National Science Foundation. The question is not whether girls can succeed in technology — research overwhelmingly shows they can — but whether we are creating environments where they choose to stay. Supporting girls in tech is not charity; it is an economic and social imperative. For deeper context on the broader landscape, see our women in tech pillar page.

This comprehensive guide covers the state of girls in STEM education, the barriers they face, the programs working to close the gap, scholarships and funding opportunities, coding camps, role models worth following, and actionable steps for parents and educators. Whether you are a young girl curious about coding, a parent wondering how to encourage your daughter, or an educator seeking resources, this page is your starting point.

The State of Girls in STEM Education

Understanding where girls in technology stand today requires looking at hard data across every stage of the educational pipeline. The picture is one of early promise followed by systemic leakage at predictable points.

Elementary School: Equal Footing

In the earliest years of education, girls and boys demonstrate comparable interest and ability in math and science. A landmark 2019 study published in Science found no significant gender differences in mathematical ability among young children across multiple countries. Girls in STEM at this age are enthusiastic, curious, and fully capable. The challenge is not talent — it is what happens next.

Middle School: The First Drop-Off

Between ages 11 and 14, a significant shift occurs. Research from Microsoft found that girls in Europe become interested in STEM subjects around age 11, but that interest drops sharply by age 15. The American Association of University Women (AAUW) reports that by middle school, girls are 50% less likely than boys to say they see themselves in a STEM career. This is the first critical juncture where young women begin to disengage from technology, driven by peer pressure, gender stereotypes in media, and a lack of visible role models.

Middle school is also where elective course selection begins. When given the choice, girls are less likely to select computer science or robotics courses, often because these subjects are perceived as “for boys.” Schools that make introductory computing mandatory for all students see much higher rates of female participation in subsequent elective courses.

High School: The AP Computer Science Gap

The Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science exam is a useful barometer for high school participation. In 2023, girls made up only 30% of AP Computer Science Principles test-takers and just 25% of AP Computer Science A test-takers, according to the College Board. While these numbers have improved from a decade ago — when female participation in AP CS A was below 20% — the gap remains significant.

Geography matters enormously. In some states, like Mississippi and Montana, zero girls took the AP Computer Science exam in certain recent years. Nationally, only 47% of high schools even offer a computer science course. For girls in underserved rural and urban communities, the opportunity simply does not exist. Our women in tech statistics page provides additional data on these educational disparities.

College: The Degree Bottleneck

At the college level, women earn approximately 22% of bachelor’s degrees in computer science, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. This is actually lower than it was in 1984, when women earned 37% of CS degrees — a decline that coincided with the rise of personal computers marketed primarily to boys and men.

The situation varies by subfield. Women are better represented in biological sciences (over 60% of bachelor’s degrees), but significantly underrepresented in computer science, engineering, and physics. Among computing degrees specifically:

• Computer Science: 22% women
• Computer Engineering: 15% women
• Information Technology: 28% women
• Data Science: 30% women (a newer field with better initial representation)

For young women who do pursue computing degrees, retention is another challenge. Research from UCLA’s Higher Education Research Institute found that women who declare a STEM major are significantly more likely to switch to a non-STEM field than their male peers. The reasons are complex but include unwelcoming classroom cultures, imposter syndrome fueled by being in a visible minority, and a lack of female faculty mentors.

Why Girls Leave Tech (and How to Stop It)

The leaky pipeline is not an accident. It is the result of identifiable, addressable factors. Understanding why girls in tech disengage is the first step toward reversing the trend.

Stereotype Threat and Implicit Bias

Stereotype threat — the phenomenon where individuals underperform when they are aware of a negative stereotype about their group — has been extensively studied in the context of women and STEM. A 2016 meta-analysis published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology found that girls exposed to gender-STEM stereotypes performed worse on math tests, even when their actual ability was equal to or better than their male peers.

These stereotypes are pervasive. Media portrayals of tech workers skew heavily male and often depict socially awkward stereotypes that alienate girls. Toy marketing separates building and coding toys into “boys’ aisles.” Even well-meaning adults contribute through subtle language: praising boys for being “smart” while praising girls for “working hard” reinforces the notion that male aptitude in STEM is innate while female success requires extra effort.

Lack of Role Models and Representation

You cannot be what you cannot see. When young women look at the tech industry, they see leadership teams, conference speakers, and media profiles that are overwhelmingly male. Only 11% of Fortune 500 tech company CEOs are women. This absence of visible role models communicates a powerful unspoken message about who belongs in the industry.

Research published in Psychological Science demonstrates that exposure to female STEM role models significantly increases girls’ interest in and identification with STEM careers. Conversely, the absence of these role models contributes to a sense of not belonging that compounds over time.

Hostile and Unwelcoming Environments

For girls who do enter tech spaces — whether in school, coding bootcamps, or early careers — the environment itself can push them out. A 2020 study by the Kapor Center found that nearly 40% of women who leave the tech industry cite unfairness or mistreatment as a primary reason. This includes being talked over in meetings, having ideas attributed to male colleagues, facing sexist jokes, and encountering harassment.

These experiences often begin early. Girls in coding classes report being questioned about whether they “really” belong there, having their contributions minimized in group projects, and facing dismissive attitudes from male classmates. Even well-intentioned programs can inadvertently create unwelcoming environments if they are not designed with these dynamics in mind.

The Confidence Gap

Research consistently shows that girls and women underestimate their abilities in STEM subjects more than boys and men do. A study from the University of Washington found that women in introductory computer science courses rated their own ability lower than equally performing men. This confidence gap has real consequences: it influences whether girls choose to take advanced courses, apply for competitive programs, or persist when material gets challenging.

Importantly, the confidence gap is not inherent — it is learned. Girls receive fewer messages of encouragement in STEM contexts, face more skepticism from peers, and internalize societal narratives about who is “naturally” good at tech. Addressing the confidence gap requires proactive encouragement, exposure to female peers who are succeeding, and learning environments that normalize struggle as part of growth.

“The biggest barrier for girls in tech isn’t ability — it’s the message, repeated in a thousand small ways, that technology isn’t for them. Every girl who codes, builds, and creates chips away at that narrative for the girls who follow.” — Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code

How to Stop the Exodus

The factors driving girls away from tech are systemic, but they are also changeable. Evidence-based interventions include:

• Early and sustained exposure: Introducing all students to computing before stereotypes solidify
• Growth mindset framing: Teaching that CS skills are developed, not innate
• Female-focused learning spaces: Girls-only classes and programs where participants feel comfortable taking risks
• Relatable role models: Connecting girls with diverse women working in tech
• Bias training for educators: Helping teachers recognize and counteract their own implicit assumptions
• Inclusive curriculum design: Using projects that appeal to a diverse range of interests, not just stereotypically “male” topics like gaming and military applications

Top Programs and Organizations for Girls in Tech

A growing ecosystem of organizations is working to close the gender gap in technology. These girls in tech programs range from introductory coding experiences for young girls to career development resources for those transitioning into the workforce. Here are the most impactful programs making a real difference for women and girls in tech.

Girls Who Code

Founded in 2012 by Reshma Saujani, Girls Who Code has become the most recognized organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in computing. The organization has reached over 500,000 girls across all 50 U.S. states and several countries internationally.

• Age Range: 3rd through 12th grade (approximately ages 8 to 18)
• Clubs Program: After-school clubs that meet regularly throughout the academic year, hosted at schools, libraries, and community centers. Free to join.
• Summer Immersion Program: A seven-week intensive program for 10th and 11th graders, hosted at tech company offices. Participants learn coding, work on projects, and meet women in tech.
• College Loops: Campus-based communities for college women in CS, providing peer support and professional development.
• Self-Paced Projects: Online coding activities and projects that girls can complete at home.

Girls Who Code has been particularly effective because it combines technical skills with sisterhood — building communities where girls support each other. Their research shows that 90% of Girls Who Code alumni who major in computer science remain in the major through graduation.

Girls in Tech (girlsintech.org)

Girls in Tech is a global nonprofit focused on eliminating the gender gap in tech through engagement, education, and empowerment. Founded in 2007 by Adriana Gascoigne, the organization operates chapters in over 60 cities worldwide.

• Hackathons: Girls in Tech hosts hackathon events where women and girls build technology solutions to real-world problems, often focused on social impact.
• Catalyst Conference: An annual conference featuring speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities for women at all career stages.
• Bootcamps: Intensive coding and technology skill-building programs designed for women seeking to enter or advance in tech.
• Mentorship Programs: Pairing early-career women with experienced tech professionals for guidance and support.
• Community Events: Regular meetups, panels, and social events through local chapters, creating ongoing support networks.

What distinguishes Girls in Tech is its global reach and its focus on the full spectrum — from girls exploring tech for the first time to established professionals seeking leadership roles.

Black Girls CODE

Founded in 2011 by Kimberly Bryant, Black Girls CODE addresses the specific underrepresentation of Black women and girls in technology. While women are underrepresented in tech broadly, Black women hold only 3% of computing jobs — a statistic that demands targeted intervention.

• Workshops: Hands-on workshops in web development, robotics, mobile app development, and game design for girls ages 7 to 17.
• Chapters: Active chapters across 15 U.S. cities, including underserved communities often overlooked by other programs.
• Hackathons: Age-appropriate hackathon events where girls work in teams to build tech solutions.
• Community Building: Creating a network of support for girls at the intersection of race and gender, where barriers are compounded.

Black Girls CODE has introduced programming and technology to over 30,000 girls since its founding. The organization’s explicit focus on intersectionality — addressing both racial and gender barriers — makes it a critical part of the broader movement for diversity in technology.

TechGirls (techgirlsglobal.org)

TechGirls is an international exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State that brings girls ages 15 to 17 from the Middle East, North Africa, and Central and South Asia to the United States for a technology-focused program.

• Summer Exchange: Participants spend several weeks in the U.S., including time at a tech company, project work, and cultural exchange.
• Curriculum: Focus on computing, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills.
• Alumni Network: TechGirls graduates return to their home countries and implement community service projects, multiplying the program’s impact.
• Global Reach: The program has served girls from over 40 countries, fostering an international community of young female technologists.

TechGirls is unique in its international scope and its recognition that the underrepresentation of young women in technology is a global challenge requiring cross-cultural solutions.

Code.org and Hour of Code

Code.org is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools, with a particular emphasis on increasing participation among young women and underrepresented minorities. Their Hour of Code initiative has become the largest global learning event in history.

• Hour of Code: One-hour introductory tutorials available in over 60 languages, designed to show that anyone can learn the basics of coding. Over 100 million students have participated.
• K-12 Curriculum: Full computer science curricula (CS Fundamentals, CS Discoveries, CS Principles) available free to all schools, designed with equity and inclusion at their core.
• Advocacy: Code.org has been instrumental in policy change, helping over 50 states adopt plans to expand computer science education.
• Impact on Girls: Schools using Code.org’s CS Discoveries curriculum report significantly higher rates of female enrollment compared to traditional CS courses.

For many young learners, an Hour of Code activity is the very first time they write a line of code. That single hour can be the spark that changes a career trajectory.

National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT)

NCWIT is a nonprofit community that convenes more than 1,500 organizations to increase the meaningful participation of women and girls in computing. Their approach is research-based and systemic.

• Aspirations in Computing (AiC): A talent development initiative that identifies and supports girls with aptitude and interest in computing from high school through college and into careers. Over 25,000 students have been recognized.
• Research: NCWIT produces authoritative research on the status of women in computing and evidence-based practices for increasing diversity.
• TECHNOLOchicas: A bilingual campaign highlighting Latina women in tech to inspire the next generation of Latina girls in STEM.
• Resources for Educators: Extensive resources for K-12 and university educators on creating inclusive computing environments.

Technovation

Technovation invites girls and families around the world to build technology solutions to community problems through two flagship programs.

• Technovation Girls: An annual competition where teams of girls ages 8 to 18 identify a problem in their community, build a mobile app to address it, and develop a business plan. Over 35,000 girls from 100+ countries have participated.
• Technovation Families: A program that brings parents and children together to learn coding and problem-solving skills, helping create supportive home environments for aspiring young technologists.
• Mentorship: Teams are matched with volunteer mentors from the tech industry who guide them through the development process.

Technovation stands out for its project-based approach. Instead of teaching coding in the abstract, it connects technical skills to social impact — a framing that research shows is particularly effective for engaging young women.

Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

The Society of Women Engineers is one of the oldest and largest organizations for women in engineering and technology, founded in 1950.

• SWENext: A program specifically for aspiring engineers ages 18 and under, providing resources, events, and a community of peers.
• Outreach Programs: SWE members volunteer in schools and community organizations to introduce girls to engineering and tech careers.
• Scholarships: SWE distributes over $1 million in scholarships annually to women pursuing engineering and technology degrees.
• Annual Conference: WE Local and the Annual Conference (WE) are the largest conferences for women engineers in the world, offering career fairs, professional development, and networking.

Built By Girls

Built By Girls focuses on preparing the next generation of female and non-binary leaders in tech through mentorship and exploration.

• WAVE (Women Advisors, Pair with Voices of Experience): A mentorship program that matches young women and non-binary individuals with professionals in tech for one-on-one advising sessions over 90 days.
• Explorer Program: Career exploration content that introduces high school students to different roles in tech — not just coding, but product management, design, data science, marketing, and more.
• Events: Regular virtual and in-person events featuring women in tech sharing their career paths and advice.

Built By Girls is particularly valuable because it broadens the definition of “tech careers” beyond engineering. For young women who are interested in technology but unsure about coding, Built By Girls shows the full range of career possibilities.

AI4ALL

AI4ALL is dedicated to increasing diversity and inclusion in artificial intelligence. As AI becomes one of the most consequential fields in technology, ensuring that girls and underrepresented groups shape its development is critical.

• Summer Programs: Multi-week programs at leading universities (Stanford, Princeton, Carnegie Mellon, and others) where high school students learn AI concepts through hands-on projects.
• College Pathways: Support for AI4ALL alumni as they transition to college, including peer community and resources.
• Open Curriculum: Free AI education materials available to any educator, designed with inclusivity in mind.
• Focus Areas: Projects address real-world challenges in healthcare, climate, social justice, and more — connecting AI to meaningful impact.

AI4ALL recognizes that if we do not intentionally include young women and other underrepresented groups in AI development now, we risk embedding bias into systems that will shape society for decades.

Scholarships and Funding for Girls in Tech

Financial barriers should never prevent a talented young woman from pursuing a technology education. Fortunately, a growing number of scholarships specifically support girls in technology and women entering STEM fields. Here are some of the most notable opportunities.

Google Generation Scholarship (formerly Women Techmakers Scholarship)

Google offers the Generation Scholarship to students from underrepresented groups pursuing degrees in computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related technical field. Recipients receive $10,000 (for students in the U.S.) or equivalent amounts internationally, along with a retreat at Google’s offices where they connect with Google engineers and fellow scholars. The scholarship is open to students who identify as women or as an underrepresented gender in tech.

Adobe Research Women-in-Technology Scholarship

Adobe’s scholarship supports undergraduate and first-year master’s students who identify as women studying computer science, computer engineering, or a related field. The award includes a financial scholarship, an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, and a mentorship opportunity with an Adobe researcher. It is highly competitive and recognizes both academic achievement and a commitment to diversity in tech.

Palantir Women in Technology Scholarship

Palantir Technologies offers scholarships to women in their sophomore year or later who are pursuing degrees in STEM fields. Recipients receive a scholarship grant, a visit to Palantir’s offices, and a mentorship connection with a Palantir engineer. The application requires a short essay on the impact of diversity in technology.

Additional Scholarships for Women and Girls in Tech

• Society of Women Engineers Scholarships: Over $1 million distributed annually across hundreds of individual awards for women in engineering and technology programs.
• NCWIT Collegiate Award: Recognizes outstanding women in computing at the undergraduate and graduate levels, with cash prizes and national recognition.
• Microsoft Scholarship Program: Supports underrepresented students in computer science, including women, with tuition scholarships.
• Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship (now Generation Google Scholarship): Created in honor of the founder of the Grace Hopper Celebration, this scholarship continues to support women in computing.
• BHW Women in STEM Scholarship: An annual $3,000 scholarship for women pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in STEM fields.
• Science Ambassador Scholarship: A full-tuition scholarship for women in STEM, awarded based on a three-minute video presentation about a STEM topic.
• SMART Scholarship (DoD): The Department of Defense’s SMART scholarship funds STEM degrees and includes a guaranteed job placement after graduation, with active efforts to recruit women.
• Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship: Awards up to $10,000 for students in STEM fields, with preference for diverse candidates including women.

Many of these scholarships require applications well in advance of the academic year. Girls in STEM should begin researching and preparing applications during their junior year of high school for undergraduate awards, and during their sophomore year of college for graduate and industry-sponsored awards.

Coding Camps and Workshops for Girls

Hands-on experience is one of the most effective ways to spark and sustain interest in technology. Girls coding programs designed specifically for female participants create supportive environments where girls can explore, experiment, and build confidence without the dynamics that sometimes make co-ed settings less welcoming.

Summer Coding Camps

• Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program: A free, seven-week intensive for high school girls hosted at tech company offices. Participants learn computer science fundamentals and build a final project addressing a community issue.
• iD Tech Camps — Girls-Only Sessions: iD Tech, one of the largest STEM camp providers, offers girls-only sessions at universities across the country. Topics include coding, game design, robotics, and AI. Sessions run one to two weeks.
• Kode With Klossy: Founded by supermodel and coder Karlie Kloss, Kode With Klossy offers free two-week coding camps for girls and nonbinary students ages 13 to 18. Camps focus on web development, mobile app development, and data science.
• AI4ALL Summer Programs: Multi-week programs at top universities where high school girls learn about artificial intelligence through real-world projects. Highly selective and free for participants.
• DigiGirlz by Microsoft: Day-long and multi-day events at Microsoft offices where high school girls get hands-on experience with technology and hear from Microsoft employees about their careers.
• Alexa Cafe by iD Tech: A STEM camp for girls ages 10 to 15 that combines technology skills with entrepreneurship and social impact. Topics include coding, 3D printing, and website design.

After-School Programs

• Girls Who Code Clubs: Free after-school clubs that meet weekly, available at thousands of locations nationwide. No prior experience required.
• CoderDojo: A global network of free, volunteer-led coding clubs for young people ages 7 to 17. While not exclusively for girls, many dojos run girls-focused sessions.
• Girl Scout STEM Badges: The Girl Scouts have introduced extensive STEM programming, including badges in coding, robotics, cybersecurity, and engineering. Girls can earn these badges through troop activities or self-directed learning.
• Code Next by Google: Free computer science education for Black and Latino high school students, with labs in several cities and a growing online program.

Online Courses and Platforms

For aspiring young coders who may not have access to in-person programs, online platforms provide a flexible alternative:

• Codecademy: Interactive coding courses in Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and more. Free tier available.
• Khan Academy: Free courses in computer programming, including introductory courses suitable for beginners.
• Scratch (MIT): A visual programming language designed for ages 8 to 16. Girls can create interactive stories, games, and animations while learning programming concepts.
• CS First by Google: Free computer science curriculum for students ages 9 to 14, with video-based activities that require no prior experience.
• freeCodeCamp: A free, self-paced curriculum covering web development, data analysis, and machine learning. Includes certification upon completion.

The most effective approach for many girls in tech combines structured programs with self-directed exploration. A summer camp can ignite interest, an after-school club can sustain it, and online resources can deepen skills between program sessions.

Role Models and Representation: Why It Matters

Representation is not a soft concept — it is a proven driver of participation. When girls see women who look like them succeeding in technology, their own sense of possibility expands. Conversely, the absence of visible female technologists reinforces the unconscious assumption that tech is a male domain.

The Research on Role Models

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that female students assigned to female science instructors performed better and were more likely to continue studying science than those with male instructors. The effect was strongest for high-performing women. Similarly, research from the University of Washington showed that exposure to female STEM role models reduced the implicit association between “male” and “science” in girls’ minds.

Role models do not need to be celebrities or CEOs. Research from Penelope Lockwood at the University of Toronto found that “relatable” role models — women whose success seems attainable rather than superhuman — are actually more motivating than extraordinary outliers. A college student visiting a high school classroom to talk about her computer science studies can be just as impactful as a keynote from a tech executive.

Notable Women in Tech to Know and Follow

That said, knowing the trailblazers helps girls in technology understand that women have always been part of the story — even when history has overlooked them.

• Dr. Fei-Fei Li: Computer scientist, co-director of the Stanford Human-Centered AI Institute, and creator of ImageNet — the dataset that catalyzed the deep learning revolution. A leading voice on ethical AI and diversity in technology.
• Reshma Saujani: Founder of Girls Who Code, author, and activist who has mobilized a movement to close the gender gap in technology.
• Kimberly Bryant: Founder of Black Girls CODE, an electrical engineer who pivoted to nonprofit leadership to address the intersection of racial and gender underrepresentation in tech.
• Megan Smith: Former Chief Technology Officer of the United States (under President Obama) and former VP at Google, known for her advocacy for women in engineering.
• Joy Buolamwini: Computer scientist, founder of the Algorithmic Justice League, and researcher whose work uncovering racial and gender bias in facial recognition systems has influenced AI policy worldwide.
• Gwynne Shotwell: President and COO of SpaceX, one of the most senior women in aerospace engineering and technology.
• Parisa Tabriz: Google’s VP of Chrome Engineering, sometimes known as Google’s “Security Princess,” who leads security efforts for the world’s most widely used browser.
• Timnit Gebru: AI researcher and founder of the Distributed AI Research (DAIR) Institute, known for her groundbreaking work on the social implications of AI and algorithmic bias.
• Susan Wojcicki (1968-2024): Former CEO of YouTube and one of Google’s earliest employees, who played a pivotal role in shaping the modern internet.
• Whitney Wolfe Herd: Founder and former CEO of Bumble, demonstrating that women can build billion-dollar technology companies from the ground up.

Following these women on social media, reading their interviews, and sharing their stories with girls in your life is a simple but powerful way to normalize the presence of women in technology leadership.

What Parents and Educators Can Do

Supporting girls in tech does not require a computer science degree. Parents and educators play an outsized role in shaping girls’ relationship with technology — for better or worse. Here are evidence-based actions that make a measurable difference.

For Parents

1. Start early and stay consistent. Introduce technology-related toys, games, and activities from a young age — building blocks, coding robots like Sphero or Botley, and logic puzzles. Do not wait for school to provide the first exposure.
2. Watch your language. Avoid phrases like “I was never good at math” or “Your brother is the techie in the family.” Girls absorb these signals. Instead, model curiosity: “I don’t know how this works — let’s figure it out together.”
3. Reframe failure. When a girl’s code does not work or her science experiment fails, celebrate the debugging process. The ability to persist through errors is the most important skill in programming, and girls who learn to embrace failure develop resilience that serves them throughout their tech careers.
4. Seek out girls-focused programs. Enroll your daughter in girls coding programs and camps where she will be surrounded by female peers. The social dynamics matter enormously at ages when peer influence is strongest.
5. Provide real technology, not just consumption tools. There is a difference between handing a girl a tablet to watch videos and giving her a Raspberry Pi to build a project. Shift from passive consumption to active creation.
6. Connect her with role models. If you know women who work in tech, ask them to spend time with your daughter. A single conversation with a real woman in a real tech job can be more impactful than a hundred inspirational posters.
7. Advocate at school. Ask your daughter’s school whether they offer computer science courses, whether those courses are mandatory or elective, and what the gender breakdown is. If CS is not offered, push for it.

For Educators

1. Make computer science mandatory, not elective. When CS is an elective, self-selection bias keeps girls out. When it is required, girls discover they enjoy it — and they perform just as well as boys.
2. Use inclusive examples and projects. Research shows that girls are more engaged by CS projects with real-world social impact than by abstract puzzles or gaming projects. Offer project choices that connect code to causes girls care about — health, environment, social justice, art.
3. Address group dynamics proactively. In co-ed settings, boys often dominate keyboards and conversations. Assign roles that rotate, use pair programming with intentional pairing, and call on girls as often as boys.
4. Display diverse role models. Hang posters of women in computing in your classroom. Invite women from local tech companies to speak. Use examples from women’s contributions to technology in your lessons.
5. Adopt a growth mindset framing. Avoid language that implies CS talent is innate. Praise effort, strategy, and persistence over “being smart.” Use language like “you haven’t figured it out yet” rather than “you got it wrong.”
6. Track your own data. Monitor enrollment and performance by gender in your CS courses. If there is a disparity, investigate and address it — do not assume it reflects natural interest levels.
7. Connect to the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing program. Nominate outstanding female students for recognition, which provides them with national validation and a community of peers.

From Girl in Tech to Woman in Tech: Navigating the Transition

The journey from girl in tech to woman in tech is not always linear. Even young women who excelled in school and coding programs face a jarring transition when they enter the job market. The skills that served them well in structured educational environments — completing assignments, earning grades, following curricula — are different from those needed to land a first tech role: networking, interviewing, self-advocacy, and navigating workplace culture.

The Early Career Challenge

Data from the Accenture and Girls Who Code report “Resetting Tech Culture” found that 50% of women leave tech careers by age 35, compared to only 20% of men. The exodus is highest in the first decade of a woman’s career, when the combination of hostile culture, lack of advancement, and work-life pressures converge. For women of color, the attrition rate is even higher.

This means that supporting girls in tech does not end when they graduate. The transition from education to employment is a critical vulnerability point, and early-career women need targeted support to navigate it successfully. For a broader view of the challenges women face throughout their tech careers, visit our women in tech resource page.

How WomenHack Bridges the Gap

This is exactly why WomenHack exists. WomenHack events are designed to reduce the barriers that disproportionately impact women — including former girls in tech programs — as they seek tech employment.

The WomenHack speed interview format is particularly well-suited for early-career women transitioning from education to the workforce:

• Low-Pressure Format: Speed interviews are short, structured conversations — not the high-stakes marathon interviews that can trigger imposter syndrome. For young women who may doubt whether they belong, this format provides a gentler on-ramp to the hiring process.
• Multiple Opportunities: At a single WomenHack event, participants meet with several employers, which increases the probability of finding a strong fit and reduces the all-or-nothing anxiety of traditional job applications.
• Female-Centered Space: WomenHack events are designed for women, creating an environment where participants are not the minority. For women who spent years as one of few girls in their CS classes, this experience can be transformative.
• Direct Employer Access: Rather than submitting resumes into online portals and waiting, WomenHack participants have face-to-face conversations with hiring managers and recruiters from companies committed to diversity.
• Community and Networking: Beyond the interviews themselves, WomenHack events create opportunities to connect with other women in tech — building the professional network that research consistently identifies as a key factor in career advancement.

For upcoming events, check the WomenHack events calendar. Events are held in cities worldwide and feature employers actively seeking to hire women in technology. You can also explore our guide to women in tech events for additional conferences, meetups, and networking opportunities.

Building a Career on a Strong Foundation

Young women who participated in girls in tech programs carry advantages into the workforce that go beyond technical skills. They have experience working in teams, presenting their work, persisting through challenges, and belonging to a community of women who share their passion. These are not just “soft skills” — they are the competencies that distinguish successful tech professionals at every level.

The key is continuity. Girls who code should not lose their community when they graduate. Programs like Girls Who Code’s alumni network, SWE’s professional chapters, and WomenHack events provide the ongoing support that turns a girl’s interest in technology into a woman’s thriving career.

Resources for Girls in Tech

This curated list of resources provides girls, parents, and educators with actionable starting points for exploring technology and building skills.

Organizations and Programs

• Girls Who Code — After-school clubs, summer programs, and college support for girls learning to code
• Girls in Tech — Global nonprofit with hackathons, conferences, bootcamps, and mentorship
• Black Girls CODE — Workshops and events for Black girls ages 7 to 17
• TechGirls — International exchange program for girls in technology
• Code.org — Free K-12 computer science curriculum and the Hour of Code
• NCWIT — Research, awards, and programs for women and girls in computing
• Technovation — App development competition for girls worldwide
• Society of Women Engineers — Professional organization with youth outreach and scholarships
• Built By Girls — Mentorship and career exploration for young women in tech
• AI4ALL — AI education programs for underrepresented high school students
• WomenHack — Speed interview events connecting women with tech employers

Books

• Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys’ Club of Silicon Valley by Emily Chang — An investigative look at the tech industry’s gender problem and its origins
• Girl Code: Gaming, Going Viral, and Getting It Done by Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser — The story of two teens who built a viral video game, written for young readers
• Women in Tech: Take Your Career to the Next Level by Tarah Wheeler — Practical career advice from women across the tech industry
• Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez — How the gender data gap affects everything from technology to medicine
• Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding by Linda Liukas — A children’s book (ages 5 to 8) that introduces programming concepts through storytelling
• Power On! The Story of Xbox and similar industry books that feature women in prominent technical roles
• Technically Wrong: Sexist Apps, Biased Algorithms, and Other Threats of Toxic Tech by Sara Wachter-Boettcher — Explores how tech products fail women and underrepresented users

Podcasts

• CodeNewbie — Stories from people on their coding journeys, featuring many women in tech
• Women in Tech Show — Interviews with women across the technology industry about their technical work
• Ladybug Podcast — Women in tech discussing career development, frameworks, and industry trends in an accessible way
• She Did It Her Way — Women entrepreneurs in tech sharing their paths
• The Changelog — Open source and software development, with regular episodes highlighting diversity in tech
• Command Line Heroes (Red Hat) — Technology history and trends, narrated by Saron Yitbarek, founder of CodeNewbie

Online Learning Platforms

• Scratch — Visual coding platform for ages 8 to 16
• Codecademy — Interactive coding courses (free tier available)
• Khan Academy Computing — Free computer science courses
• freeCodeCamp — Free, self-paced web development curriculum
• CS First by Google — Free CS curriculum for students ages 9 to 14

Statistics and Further Reading

• Women in Tech Statistics — Comprehensive data on gender representation in the technology industry
• Women in Tech — Our complete guide to the state of women in the technology industry
• Women in Tech Events — Calendar of conferences, meetups, and networking events for women in technology

The Path Forward for Girls in Tech

The underrepresentation of girls in tech is not a talent problem. It is a systemic problem created by stereotypes, biased environments, and unequal access — and like all systemic problems, it can be solved with sustained, intentional effort.

The programs, scholarships, camps, and resources listed on this page represent a robust and growing ecosystem of support. From a seven-year-old writing her first line of code on Scratch to a college senior interviewing at a WomenHack event, there are entry points at every stage. The pipeline does not have to leak.

But tools and programs alone are not enough. Changing the trajectory for women and girls in tech requires adults — parents, teachers, mentors, hiring managers, and industry leaders — to do the daily work of creating environments where girls feel welcome, capable, and valued. It requires examining our own biases, amplifying female voices, and holding institutions accountable for equity.

Every girl who learns to code, builds an app, solves a technical problem, or walks into a room full of women in technology carries a message forward: this is for you, too. The more girls we bring into the pipeline today, the more women in tech will lead the industry tomorrow — and the better that industry will be for everyone.

If you are a girl exploring tech for the first time, know this: you belong here. If you are a parent, educator, or ally, know this: your support matters more than you realize. And if you are a young woman ready to take the next step in your tech career, find a WomenHack event near you and walk through that door. The community is waiting.