| Johannesburg – Township Coders presents International Girls in ICT Day virtual event themed: Pivoting To Digital Intelligence & Inclusion. The virtual event will hold 23 April, 2020 at 7h30 South African Time. As parents, educators and leaders, we have the responsibility to prepare our children for the digital age. Digital intelligence or “DQ” is the set of social, emotional and cognitive abilities that enable individuals to face the challenges and adapt to the demands of digital life. During the session, speaker(s) will unpack these abilities which can broadly be broken down into eight interconnected areas, according to WEForum.org: Digital identity, use, safety, security, emotional intelligence, communication, literacy and rights. “Empowering women in the economy and closing gender gaps are key to achieving the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and sustainable development goals, particularly to achieve gender equality, to promote full and productive employment and decent work for all and reducing inequalities,” Asha Patel, Google SA head of marketing. According to unesco.org, by higher education, women represent only 35% of all students enrolled in science, technology, engineering and mathematics STEM-related fields of study. Gender differences in STEAM (A – art) education participation at the expense of girls are visible in early childhood development (ECD) and become more visible at higher levels of education. Girls appear to lose interest in STEAM subjects with age, and lower levels of participation are already seen in advanced studies at secondary level. Career differences exist in STEAM disciplines, with the lowest female enrolment observed in information, communication and technology (ICT); engineering, manufacturing, construction, natural science, mathematics and statistics. Female young adults leave STEAM disciplines in disproportionate numbers during their higher education studies, in their transition to the world of work and even during their career cycle. This segment will address some of the challenges girls and young women face when making educational and career choice in STEAM. We hope to motivate and increase the participation of young women and girls into STEAM fields. Interested participants, parents and potential partners should email to info@townshipcoders.co.za. About Township Coders We believe coding is an essential skill, most especially in a digital, technological fast-paced world we live today. At Township Coders, we provide platforms, resources, software, hardware and tools that let youths from previously disadvantaged background to learn and write code, design and publish software programs (mobile and web apps). The group meet fortnightly (Saturdays) in office space, community libraries and/or halls.
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