She is Digital: Promoting the inclusion of women in technology with Accenture Costa Rica

Accenture Costa Rica has joined Junior Achievement Americas through the She is Digital program, an initiative that seeks to close the gender gap in the technology sector by empowering young women with digital and soft skills. This collaboration has connected program participants with high-quality job opportunities at one of the world's leading technology companies.

The incorporation of three participants of the She is Digital program in Accenture Costa Rica has proven to be a success story in the search for female talent in the technology field. Alejandra Moreira, head of Corporate Citizenship at Accenture Costa Rica, says: “The participants have come with a great attitude, eager to learn more about technology and the company. Technical skills can be taught, but soft skills, such as attitude and adaptability, are much more difficult to develop, and in this aspect the girls have excelled significantly”.

The Challenge of the Gender Gap in Technology

Globally, only 28% of engineering and 40% of computer science graduates are women, while in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, female participation is even lower, representing only 22% of professionals in the area. This disparity underscores the importance of initiatives like She is Digital, which seek to empower more women with the skills needed to thrive in emerging technology sectors.

We know that the barriers for women in the technology sector are significant and that there is still much work to be done to overcome them. For Accenture, the She is Digital program has been of great value not only because of the partnership established, but because of the positive impact on young women and their onboarding process. “We are interested in attracting more female talent and developing it together with our partners,” says Moreira, “It's not just about giving talent access to opportunities; we need all high-tech companies to actively work on closing the gender gap.”

The success of the She is Digital participants at Accenture is not only an individual achievement, but also a testament to the transformative impact of investing in female talent. This case underscores the importance of continuing to foster training and professional development spaces where women can unleash their full potential.

Continuing to develop these skills is essential to change the landscape of the technology sector in Latin America.

For more information on the statistics and the current situation of women in the tech sector, you can refer to UNESCO's report #HerEducationOurFuture.