Q&A: How inclusion in education drives UNESCO laureate to close the gender gap in tech

Tell us about yourself and your role at {reprograma}?

As the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager at{reprograma}, my role is to understand what women who wish to study with us need be successful in our programmes. For us, this means that we want to see our students empowered with the confidence and skills to access places in our society where they are currently underrepresented or marginalized and to take full advantage of the opportunities that this provides.

This role is important to me as I come from a minority group in Brazil that historically has had less access to opportunities. My mother came to São Paulo as a teenager to work as a nanny and domestic worker and I grew up in disadvantaged neighbourhoods on the outskirts of the city. In my community, affirmative actions and policies were vital to empowering us to continue our education and change our reality. Coming from this background has always made me think about what needs to change in society so that everybody has equal access to all spaces in society, be it in education, in work, in policy-making to name a few.

Can you tell us more about what inclusion in and through education means to you and how you are achieving it at {reprograma}?

Inclusion means ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, race, gender, age, geographic location, etc., has equal access and opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of our society. While this is not the reality of the world we live in today, I am convinced that education is one of the most powerful tools to achieve this goal.

I am particularly proud of {reprograma}'s inclusive selection process that has been designed to ensure we give preferential entry to women, including black and transgender women, who would otherwise not have the opportunity or means to access IT courses.

Other inclusive initiatives that we have incorporated into our programmes include ensuring that our in-person events and courses are accessible to mothers. We also have a person who is dedicated to providing individualized support to students who need assistance with the technical content during their studies with us.

How is {reprograma} collaborating with the private sector and other organizations to ensure diversity and inclusion actions?

I strongly believe in the power of teaching by example, and I think {reprograma} is leading the way thanks to our diverse management and teaching teams as well as our inclusive selection criteria for students. If we can do it and do it successfully, we know it will inspire other organizations to do the same.

However, this is not enough on its own. {reprograma}has also established a team that is dedicated to placing our graduates in organizations and companies that are recognized for their excellent diversity, equity and inclusive policies.

{reprograma}works with a number of partner companies. These relationships are mutually beneficial as they advise us on the skills they need from our students, and their new hires while we help them to become truly inclusive employers.

For us, this means advising companies on the design and implementation of their inclusion and diversity strategies, or on how to communicate about issues like unconscious bias or gender equality to change mindsets and company culture.

We are proud to be creating an ecosystem that is inspiring companies to put diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of their business.

How has winning the UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education in 2021 helped advance your work?

{reprograma} has gone from strength to strength since winning the UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education in 2021.

Thanks to the US$ 50,000 prize money we were able to enhance our curriculum and to start a career mentoring programme for girls aged between 14 and 18. However, the recognition and credibility that the Prize has given us as an organization has been invaluable.

This recognition has amplified our voice both in Brazil and on the world stage and enabled us to establish crucial new partnerships that are helping us to expand our programmes into other countries in Latin America.

The UNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's Education honours outstanding and innovative contributions made by individuals, institutions, and organizations to advance girls' and women's education. It is the first UNESCO Prize of this nature and is unique in showcasing successful projects that improve and promote the educational prospects of girls and women and in turn, the quality of their lives.

The 2024 call for nominations close on 24 May. Find out more about the selection criteria and how to be nominated on the Prize's website.