GenderNet Bootcamp

Accelerate Equality in The Tech Space

 

Women throughout history have made invaluable contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Achieving the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 5 on gender equality and women’s empowerment, requires transformative shifts, integrated approaches, and new solutions.

Currently, our digital age promotes existing patterns of gender inequality. These inequalities have become and continue to be more apparent in the context of digital skills and access to technologies, sadly leaving girls and women behind as a result of the gender digital divide. The need for inclusive and transformative technology and digital education is critical for a sustainable future.[1]

So far, current programs and initiatives have not done enough to empower girls and women in STEM. Solutions should include educational reform, with new syllabuses that encourage girls’ curiosity in scientific discoveries from an early age, including science and technology [2] Educational systems and educators themselves need support and resources to consciously remove gender biases and stereotypes; including textbooks, didactic materials, and an appropriate environment for learning.[3] It must be noted that this resource should also be tailored for each country and community respectively to see sufficient change.

GenderNet Bootcamp is a collaboration between UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), LinkedIn, the 30 for 2030 Network, and digital transformation and inclusion experts to offer a tech aspire learning and exchanges space targeting youth on Wednesday, 8 March 2023, 1:00 – 4:00 PM, Thailand Standard Time. It aims to bring together youth from across the region, technology innovators, entrepreneurs, teachers, feminists and gender equality activists to highlight different areas of women in tech, provide career guidance, and offer foundational knowledge on online violence with 30 for 2030 Network and UN Women’s Online Toolkit: Youth Guide to End Online Gender-Based Violence.

The Bootcamp consists of six engaging and interactive sessions, with a range of speakers representing various areas of tech and innovation, including: Gender and AI, professional development in the technology and creative industry, recommendations for online Gender-Based Violence response service providers, and insights on how to develop gender conscious tech solutions for online and social media platforms. The idea is to offer the younger generation a flame of inspiration that could build their interest in these fields and provide more information and resources to further their learning.

Participants will learn about:

• How to Rock their LinkedIn Profile with professional development tips in the technology and creative industries.
• The trending skills and most requested qualifications for current and future jobs.
• Online gender-based violence and how to prevent it.
• Safeguarding women’s rights and safety through positive online engagement for peace – opportunities and pitfalls of Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies.
• Conscious design in the innovation and technology sector.
• Violence against women during environmental crises and how to enhance online services for survivors and victims.

This Bootcamp aligns with International Women’s Day, 8 March 2023 (IWD 2023) theme —"DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”, CSW-67 theme —"Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”, and Generation Equality Action Coalition on Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality, and together, we can hope for a future where tech progress is gender-equal at its core, empowering girls and women.