Vodacom’s #CodeLikeAGirl: Empowering Over 10,000 Girls with Digital Skills

Since its inception in 2017, Vodacom’s #CodeLikeAGirl initiative has made significant strides in empowering young girls across South Africa and beyond. Designed to inspire and equip underprivileged girls with critical digital skills, this program has already touched the lives of over 6,300 girls, with a goal to surpass 10,000 by the end of the current financial year.

Bridging the Gender Gap in STEM

The #CodeLikeAGirl initiative was born out of a need to address the glaring gender disparity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. According to the World Economic Forum, women make up only 28.2% of the global STEM workforce, compared to 47.3% in non-STEM sectors. This disparity is even more pronounced in leadership roles, where women hold just over 10% of positions. By focusing on young girls, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, Vodacom aims to change this narrative.

A Comprehensive Approach to Digital Education

The program offers a structured educational experience, introducing girls aged 14 to 18 to a variety of STEM-related skills. These include coding, robotics, and ICT programs like HTML, CSS, GitHub, version control, and JavaScript. Beyond technical skills, the initiative also focuses on life skills development, providing participants with the confidence and support needed to pursue careers in STEM.

In the past financial year alone, #CodeLikeAGirl has trained 2,451 girls in South Africa—its largest intake since the program’s launch. The initiative plans to reach an additional 3,000 girls this year through both on-site and virtual bootcamps.

Expanding Horizons and Opportunities

What started as a South African initiative has now expanded to Mozambique, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Lesotho. The program has evolved from being hosted solely in schools to offering both on-site and virtual bootcamps. The Virtual Bootcamp, currently active, has over 300 girls registered on Vodacom’s Learner Management System, while the On-site Bootcamp is set to take place from 25-27 September 2024 at selected schools in South Africa.

The #CodeLikeAGirl program has also been revamped into a five-level academy with accreditation, providing long-term career opportunities for its participants. Girls who complete all levels of the program are well-positioned for Vodacom’s Mainstream Bursary Programme and early career initiatives, which can lead to permanent roles within the company. Click here for more information on #CodeLikeAGirl – vodacom.com/code-like-a-girl.php

Building a More Inclusive Future

Njabulo Mashigo, Human Resources Director at Vodacom South Africa, highlights the importance of such initiatives: “We are extremely proud of the impact of #CodeLikeAGirl, which is popularising coding among girls and enabling diversity and inclusivity in STEM. Through our program, we are providing girls with an opportunity to grow through digital education and overcome barriers, such as gender stereotypes, preventing them from achieving their potential.”

As Vodacom continues to lead in the STEM industry, initiatives like #CodeLikeAGirl are crucial for fostering a diverse talent pool and driving innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development. Empowering more women in STEM not only addresses gender inequalities but also helps shape a better future for all.