Train young Colombian women for a career in STEM

During 2023 we made great strides in our mission to inspire, train and employ more women in the STEM world. We achieved that 41% of the participants were women for a total of 186 women certified and in training process in 17 departments of Colombia. Additionally, we have generated different actions to make visible the importance of equity and diversity in the creation of technology teams, achieving through talks, Hackathon type events and testimony in social networks, more women identify references that inspire them to be part of STEM careers and that companies are motivated to hire more diverse talent for their technology teams.

Throughout their experience, women who participate in Makaia's Bootcamp, live for 4 to 6 months a process of training in technological roles in a 100% virtual, intensive and experiential way. Our model focused on technical skills, life skills and employability skills, is designed to enhance the capabilities of our participants who also have a permanent psychosocial support and support in the loan of computers or internet access to achieve their effective completion of the program.

With your donation we can generate opportunities for more women in Colombia to codify a new reality for their lives and those of their families. Thank you for believing in and sharing our vision of a more diverse, equitable and inclusive technological world.

Un estudio realizado por el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID) encontró que entre las principales barreras para incorporar a más mujeres en sectores como el de la tecnología se encuentran las limitaciones del sistema educativo, el primer ingreso al mercado laboral, los estereotipos y sesgos de género, la dificultad de permanencia, entre otros. Según ONU Mujeres, en el mundo, 3 de cada 10 personas que trabajan en tecnología y ciencias de la computación son mujeres. De acuerdo con la UNESCO, en América Latina las mujeres constituyen en promedio el 32 % de las estudiantes y graduadas en STEM, y de ellas, apenas del 20 %, alcanzan un rol de liderazgo en la industria. En Colombia, solo 2 de cada 10 estudiantes de carreras relacionadas con tecnología son mujeres.

Por esta razón, no solo queremos educar y conectar a más mujeres con empresas del sector para que puedan seguir su sueño en las carreras STEM, sino también inspirar y darles las herramientas para ser líderes en la industria. Hoy nuestras cohortes están conformadas por un 41% de mujeres participantes de  11 departamentos y 37 ciudades de Colombia. Mujeres que asumen el reto educándose para asumir roles tech. Adicionalmente, nos enfocamos en crear comunidad, conectar a nuestras estudiantes y comunidad con nuestras egresadas y líderes de la industria, quienes a través de su historia de vida son fuente de inspiración y conocimiento,  Estas mujeres han logrado romper barreras y ocupar importantes cargos en varias empresas representativas del sector. Además, se destacan por liderar planes y proyectos que permiten cerrar las brechas de género dentro del mercado laboral y tecnológico.

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A study carried out by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) found that among the main barriers to incorporating more women in sectors such as technology are the limitations of the educational system, the first entry into the labor market, stereotypes and gender biases, the difficulty of permanence, among others. According to UN Women, in the world, 3 out of 10 people working in technology and computer science are women. According to UNESCO, in Latin America women make up an average of 32% of STEM students and graduates, and of them, only 20% reach a leadership role in the industry. In Colombia, only 2 out of 10 students in technology-related careers are women.

For this reason, we not only want to educate and connect more women with companies in the sector so that they can follow their dream in STEM careers, but also, we want to inspire and give them the tools to be leaders in the industry. Today our cohorts are made up of 41% participating women from 11 departments and 37 cities in Colombia. Women who take on the challenge by educating themselves to take on tech roles. Additionally, we focus on creating community, connecting our students and community with our graduates and industry leaders, who through their life stories are a source of inspiration and knowledge. These women have managed to break barriers and occupy important positions in various representative companies of the industry. In addition, they stand out for leading plans and projects that close gender gaps within the labor and technological markets.

Links:

• Web Site Bootcamp MAKAIA
• Video - Inspiring more women in technology