Information for a choice: Empowering young women through learning for technical professions and science careers

Women are underrepresented in the field of Science and Technology. Available statistics from the European Union shows that women today represent less than 30% of graduates in ICT programmes and hold fewer high-level academic positions than their male counterparts. Two significant underlying causes for female exclusion in the field of SET are the pre existing stereotypes that reinforce male dominance in the workplace and secondly the lack or limited information of role models, who can provide accurate information about career paths and obstacles faced. The partnership seeks to address the issue of 'choice' and low female participation in SET. Our target group is young women in their high school years, in the process of selecting a degree and career path. The project will focus on providing accurate information and present role models who can function as mentors to young women across Greece and the EU countries. Sustainable results will be ensured via the link to the Centre for Documentation and Analysis for Life-Long Training, created by the coordinator-E.KE.PIS. Studies conducted by each participating country will select documentation on status-quo of women represented in SET, collect best practices and past projects experiences and present a comparative analysis. Furthermore the designed and developed IT information system will be used as a tool for internal and external dissemination and as the mean through which Role Model cases will be projected to the particular target group. Transnational partner meetings will facilitate exchange of information and progress of the project. The Website will facilitate communication and dissemination of results for the duration of the project. Finally, the Policy Paper will utilize the surveys and workshops' outputs providing instrumental guidance for policy improvements, encouraging female participation and continuing employment in SET careers.