Education school in Manaus encourages girls to enter the technology market

Manaus (AM) — In the month in which International Women’s Day is celebrated (March 8), despite the market registering a timid growth in female participation in the segment known as Women in Tech (English term for Women in the Technology Area), which offers great salaries; however, their participation is still considered low.

Experts in the area point out cultural issues and the lack of inclusion and diversity in business models that can solve equity in this market that is changing exponentially.

Data published by the General Register of Employed and Unemployed Persons (Caged) shows that female participation grew by 60% in the technology sector in the period 2015–2022. However, a study carried out by the technology company Revelo shows that only 12.7% of vacancies in the market are occupied by women, compared to 87.7% by men.

Unlike other sectors, the Tech market offers very attractive benefits for its audience, one of which is salary. To cite some examples, the role of developer at Junior level (initial phase of the profession) can earn an average of R$5,500.00. While the salary of an Information Security Coordinator can reach up to R$20,200.00, according to the Robert Half Talent Solutions annual guide.

Technological empowerment

In an attempt to encourage the participation of female audiences of future generations in the technology market, an initiative by the technological education school Manaós Tech for Kids offers free enrollment for girls who wish to start in this innovative world. The campaign is for a limited time.

“We here at Manaós Tech are committed to boosting the female presence in the world of technology. Therefore, we have a provisional campaign offering free registration fees to all girls and teenagers who wish to join us. We truly believe in a more diverse and gender-equitable market,”

says Nívia Carvalho, the school’s pedagogical coordinator.

The school opens its doors to girls and boys from the age of five, using STEM (acronym in English for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) pedagogical methodology, all combined with lots of fun and notions of social responsibility.

During classes, children and teenagers receive content that starts with the introduction to computational thinking and mechanics for robots, reaching the stage of learning Programming Language and Game Development for teenagers.

“My daughters went to Manaós Tech school thinking they were going to make a robot, but at the end of the course, they did something much bigger and more important, which was a project for the Technological Exhibition. This is because the school brings this issue of children having contact with a project where they learn to work as a team, to have contact with responsibility and to be aware of their role in society”,

says Amanda Mota, mother of Letícia (11 years old) and Lara (9 years old) who created a prototype called “Flood Alert System”, with the aim of helping people who live in risk areas in Manaus.

To find out more information about the free enrollment campaign for girls, simply contact us by phone: (92) 99103-8067 and (92) 98121-0730.

Cultural change, inclusion and diversity

In the view of the Undersecretary of Science and Technology for the Amazon of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), Tanara Laushner, the low representation of women in the Tech market depends on a cultural change combined with inclusion and diversity beyond companies .

“Every year, the World Economic Forum produces a report on the gap in women’s participation in the technology market in all countries. This report points out that one of the factors for the development of countries is the number of women in STEM areas. In Brazil, of the total number of people who graduate in STEM areas, less than half are female. It’s something that the more there is incentive for women’s participation, the more we will see development in the country as a whole”,

highlights Tanara.

Last year, MCTI launched the 4th. Edition of the Innovative Women Program that aims to stimulate innovative female entrepreneurship through the acceleration of startups. The initiative offers financing for innovative projects at a reduced interest rate. The Program has already contributed to the acceleration of 82 startups.

For Marcela Pessoa, PhD in IT and coordinator of the Information Systems course at the Superior School of Technology of the State University of Amazonas (EST/UEA), there is an increase in the number of women enrolling in courses, but they are still a minority when compared to the number of men.

“They are more active in the courses, but there are still many doubts about whether or not to enroll in higher technology courses. A few days ago, I helped a student who had passed two entrance exams, one of which was in the IT (Information Technology) area. She came to talk to me, as she thought the area was very masculine and I had to deconstruct this idea in her head”,

reveals the teacher.

Marcela observes that, “although the growth of women in Technology courses is not very significant in relation to quantity, it has been more significant in the way they are positioning themselves and occupying their spaces in the market”.

For Technological Education teacher, Aline Ribeiro, teaching-learning in the STEM area can transform lives and allow dreams to come true.

“Technology has provided me with many opportunities, allowing me to follow previously unimaginable paths. Teaching about technology is, for me, sharing this dream with other people, especially with other women, demonstrating how important it is for society”,

points out Aline.

*With information from consultancy

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