Sisters of Code

Solution Pitch

The Problem

According to the World Bank, the Cambodian labor force does not have the skills to attract high-value investments into the economy, nor do they have the means to acquire those skills. Female workers in low-skilled roles currently make up 75 percent of the economy. Meanwhile, only 8 percent of computer science students are female. For women to move up in the workforce and create more high-skilled jobs, Cambodia must bridge its technical skills gender gap. 

The Solution 

Sisters of Code is the first and only female coding club in Cambodia. All instructors are trained female programmers, and students learn through project based activities with an emphasis on growth mindset. Sisters of Code lessons are held weekly for 2.5 hours and consist of 18 meetings that cover 3 modules and end in student-led presentations. Survey data from former Sisters of Code participants demonstrates that the program has been highly successful in improving students’ digital skills and confidence. 

Sisters of Code is working to eliminate the barriers that prevent girls from studying and working in STEM in Cambodia. Upon completion of the course, the belief among participants that “not all girls can study technology” decreased from 14 percent to 7 percent. 

Stats 

Sisters of Code aims to double the number of female students enrolled in technology majors over the next two years in Cambodia.

Market Opportunity 

There are roughly 400,000 female upper secondary and high school students in Cambodia. Sisters of Code is currently focusing on 5 percent of that market—girls aged 10 to 20 who are interested in developing digital skills. Currently, the government in Cambodia does not spend any money to address the technical skills gender gap, making Sisters of Code the only organization in Cambodia working with this market. Mckinsey estimates that tackling the gender gap in Cambodia could lead to a GDP increase of 11.9 by 2025, and that advancing gender equality across the Asia Pacific region could increase annual GDP by 12 percent, or $4.5 trillion, by 2025. 

Organization Highlights

• Recognized by the International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South cooperation under the AUSPICES of UNESCO

• Participated in the ISTIC 4th Biennial International Conference on Women in Science, Technology and Innovations: Empowering Women through Technology, 2019

• Featured at Geeks of Cambodia and on Cambodia Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport TV 

Partnership Goals

Sisters of Code currently seeks:

• Connections to education specialists and advisors whose expertise can support building a strategy to further train teachers, with a focus on digital skills. The Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport has recognized Sisters of Code as an effective educational program for scaling up public educational institutions. 

• Strategic expertise to develop a fundraising strategy which would allow it to expand upon its scope and mission

• Marketing and publicity support to showcase positive stories of girls in STEM to change attitudes and stigmas, ultimately encouraging more girls to study technology

• The Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport has recognized Sisters of Code as an effective educational program for scaling up public educational institutions.