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We are living in a world that is becoming increasingly mobile and digitally connected with each passing year. However, the rapid rise in the use of technology has not been evenly felt, leaving those without access to technology and its benefits behind – creating what is known as the digital divide – a divide that is disproportionately impacting girls and women worldwide.

According to data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, women are underrepresented in STEM fields in most countries, making up only around one-third of all STEM occupations globally. Further, digital literacy and skills are rapidly emerging as one of the biggest barriers women face.

Planting the seed to foster interest and accessibility to STEM is no easy feat, as most young girls' confidence in STEM-related subjects declines as early as third grade according to the American Association of University Women. With this in mind, we invest in a broad network of global partners and programs that allow us to target underrepresented communities with support and resources specific to their needs, creating sustainable change for future generations.

Dell Technologies wants to further the conversation on empowering and supporting girls to pursue education and careers in STEM. We know how important it is that girls acquire the skills needed to become active and literate participants in today’s digital world.

Blending gaming + mentorship to cultivate skills and confidence

At Dell Technologies, we often say, “if you can see it, you can be it” when discussing the power of mentorship. Unfortunately, with the low representation of women in STEM today, many young girls can’t “see” themselves pursuing a STEM career or visualise the path to get there. That’s where Girls Who Game comes in.

Girls Who Game is an extracurricular skill-building programme created in partnership with Microsoft and Intel. The programme aims to empower underserved and underrepresented students across North America, Australia and the Caribbean to learn about STEM through Minecraft, as well as develop global competencies such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity. 

Mentorship and empowerment aren’t enough to close the digital divide. Many communities lack access to fundamental education for girls, making the barrier to entering a STEM field much higher.

The programme connects participants with mentors at Dell Technologies, Intel and Microsoft to boost girls' confidence and serves as an effective catalyst for sparking interest and engagement in the industry.

This introduction to digital literacy at an early age, combined with a safe and supportive community of peers and mentors, helps prepare students to enter the working world with the digital skills they need to engage with technology confidently, responsibly, effectively and safely.

Overcoming global barriers in STEM

Mentorship and empowerment aren’t enough to close the digital divide. Many communities lack access to fundamental education for girls, making the barrier to entering a STEM field much higher.

ShePreneur India was created in 2022 to encourage girls, particularly those from marginalised and underrepresented communities, to tinker, create, sustain and innovate. Along with other Dell-initiated programs like She Codes that began in 2020, the program aims to help girls overcome barriers to pursuing STEM careers.

So far, over 320 girls from across India have been able to tinker and create their way to innovation, with 15 patents filed and more than 300 prototypes launched.

Through ShePreneur, girls participate in vendor-led bootcamps and internships, receiving guidance on developing and launching products. So far, over 320 girls from across India have been able to tinker and create their way to innovation, with 15 patents filed and more than 300 prototypes launched.

Through programmes like ShePreneur and Girls Who Game, we can transform education through technology and cultivate inclusion by empowering girls to learn and grow. This way, girls can have a seat at the STEM table from a young age by exploring their curiosity and developing their skills in the field.

Championing innovation

Our world is rapidly evolving, largely due to the constant adoption of new technologies. As a leading technology company, it is our responsibility at Dell Technologies to ensure that we do our part to close the digital divide and increase digital literacy among the next generation. Only when organisations of all sizes come together to democratise technology in such a way will we be able to move the needle toward greater equity and inclusion around the globe.