Getting more European girls and women into digital studies and careers - Main contents
This week marks the anniversary of the birth of Ada Lovelace, often called the world's first computer progammer. It's a good opportunity to reflect on the need to attract more women into tech jobs and careers in Europe.
This week marks the 199th anniversary of the birth of Ada Lovelace, often considered as the world's first computer programmer after she created the first algorithm for use on a machine.
It's unfortunate that after this 19th-century English mathematician lit a trail for other women to follow her into the world of modern technology, their numbers remain so low in Europe today.
We should change this: ICT is the future, and women need to be a larger part of it.
The first problem is that many girls do not choose studies related to ICT. The second problem is that they choose ICT careers far less.
At the moment, women represent around 17% of total graduates in computer science and fewer than 30% of employees of the ICT sector.
A mere 9% of European app developers are female.
Women are under-represented at all levels in the ICT sector in Europe, especially in decision-making positions. And this is a sector which is growing rapidly, creating about 120,000 new jobs each year. Due to differences in demands and skills - and despite soaring unemployment - Europe could experience a shortage of 900,000 skilled ICT workers by 2020. It's a real cause for concern.
The European Commission has been working for some time to encourage young people, and particularly women, to take up ICT-related careers - with initiatives like the Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs, for example.
I know my predecessor Neelie Kroes was keen to promote this. I feel the same way.
But sometimes you need a little extra push.
That's why events like this week's Ada Lovelace Conference to celebrate outstanding girls and women in digital studies and careers, are so valuable.
Held in Brussels on Ada Lovelace's birthday - December 10 - its theme will be about getting more girls and women into digital studies and careers in Europe. It will be led by the winners of this year's European Ada Awards, which recognise leadership, entrepreneurship and creativity in digital areas of study and work.
Unfortunately, I am unable to attend myself but my team will be representing me.
We need to get more young people, especially women, interested in digital careers and show them they can be challenging, creative and rewarding - and fun. Learning how to code at school is a great way to start. This week is the Hour of Code challenge, which aims to teach computer science to school students in a one-hour introduction, demystify code and show that anybody can learn the basics.
Events and awards like these are an excellent way of promoting tech as a career.
We should properly recognise top European girls and women in tech, and get them taking part more in this vibrant sector in Europe to keep it as competitive as we can.
It's also economically important to attract more women into tech careers.
A European Commission study last year showed that if women held digital jobs as frequently as men do, Europe's GDP could be raised annually by around € 9 billion. That's 1.3 times the GDP of Malta.
I wish the Ada Lovelace conference every success.
Another blog next week.
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