The tech industry’s gender gap remains a global challenge, but innovative initiatives are emerging to address this imbalance. In Peru, Movistar’s Chicas TEC program stands as a beacon of change, empowering young women to explore careers in technology through hands-on learning and mentorship.
Launched by Telefónica Movistar Peru and the Telefónica Foundation, this initiative represents a significant investment in the country’s digital future. The program specifically targets girls aged 13 to 17, providing them with essential technology skills while nurturing their confidence in STEM fields.
During my recent conversations with technology education advocates across Latin America, Peru’s approach has emerged as particularly noteworthy. The Chicas TEC program doesn’t merely teach coding – it creates a comprehensive ecosystem of support, combining technical training with mentorship opportunities that help young women envision themselves as future tech leaders.
What makes this initiative particularly effective is its holistic approach. Participants develop proficiency in programming, robotics, and digital creation while simultaneously building crucial soft skills like critical thinking and problem-solving. This combination prepares them not just for specific tech roles but for the adaptability required in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
The impact extends beyond individual participants. As Magali Arellano, director of educational programs at Telefónica Foundation Peru, explained in a recent statement: “We’re witnessing a transformation in how these young women view technology – not as something intimidating, but as a powerful tool they can master and use to solve real-world problems in their communities.”
This perspective aligns with research from the World Economic Forum suggesting that early exposure to technology significantly increases the likelihood of pursuing STEM careers. The MIT Technology Review has similarly documented how mentorship programs can dramatically increase retention rates for women in technology fields.
The program’s success reflects thoughtful implementation strategies. Rather than focusing exclusively on technical skills, Chicas TEC emphasizes creative applications of technology. Participants work on projects addressing community challenges, connecting abstract concepts to tangible impacts. This approach has proven effective in maintaining engagement, particularly among girls who might not initially see themselves as “tech-oriented.”
Education experts at Stanford’s research center for gender equity in STEM have found that such context-based learning significantly improves retention of technical concepts while building confidence. The Chicas TEC curriculum incorporates these findings through project-based modules that connect technology to real-world applications.
Perhaps most importantly, the program connects participants with professional women already working in technology fields. These relationships provide crucial representation, helping young women visualize their own potential career paths. As one participant shared, “Seeing women who look like me succeeding in tech makes me believe I can do it too.”
Industry observers note that Movistar’s initiative comes at a critical time. With Latin America’s technology sector experiencing rapid growth, addressing the gender gap has economic as well as social implications. Research from the Inter-American Development Bank suggests that increasing women’s participation in technology could add billions to the region’s economy over the next decade.
The program also addresses rural-urban divides in technology access. By establishing hubs in both metropolitan Lima and more remote regions, Chicas TEC ensures that geographic location doesn’t determine a young woman’s opportunity to explore technology careers.
The initiative’s impact extends beyond Peru. Similar programs have emerged across Latin America, creating a regional movement to increase gender diversity in technology. Industry watchers note that these efforts represent not just corporate social responsibility but strategic workforce development, as companies recognize the competitive advantage of diverse technical teams.
Looking ahead, Movistar plans to expand the program’s reach while measuring long-term outcomes. The company has committed to tracking participants’ educational and career trajectories, generating valuable data on effective interventions for closing the gender gap in technology.
For the tech industry globally, programs like Chicas TEC offer valuable lessons in building inclusive pipelines. The combination of skills development, mentorship, and community connection creates a model worth replicating across contexts where women remain underrepresented in technology.
As we continue monitoring developments in technology education, initiatives like Chicas TEC remind us that addressing the digital gender gap requires comprehensive approaches – and that when given opportunity and support, young women eagerly embrace technology’s possibilities.
