Overcoming Obstacles: challenges of gender inequality in undergraduate ICT programs

Context: Issues related to gender inequality have been widely discussed in different sectors of society. One of them is the field of Information Technology and Communication (ICT), in which the participation of women enrolled in ICT courses in Brazilian institutions represents less than 18% of students. Prior studies indicate that gender-related factors, such as prejudice, social culture, and gender stereotypes act as barriers discouraging women from entering and remaining in the ICT area. However, there is little understanding of the women's perceptions as undergraduate students in the ICT area about gender inequality. It is also unclear how and what factors influence woman students' levels of participation and confidence during their academic lives.

Goal:To address this gap, we conducted a study aimed at exploring women's perceptions as undergraduate students in the ICT area.

Method: To this purpose, we surveyed 402 women from 18 Brazilian states enrolled in various undergraduate ICT courses. To ensure a comprehensive analysis of the survey data, we employed a mixed method, combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches.  

Results: Our findings reveal that women students face various forms of discrimination inside and outside the classroom, from their peers and professors. Furthermore, most of them stated that gender stereotypes negatively impact their self-confidence and self-esteem, sometimes leading to their discontinuation of ICT courses. 

Conclusions: Factors such as lack of representation, hearing bad jokes, feeling isolated, having difficulty making your voice heard, and distrust can lead to harmful outcomes. These factors are not just isolated incidents but stem from deep-rooted societal norms and biases in our environment. This can lead to lower participation rates in class discussions and reluctance to pursue leadership roles in group projects. It is crucial to acknowledge that perpetuating inequality is no longer acceptable. It is our role to create a learning environment where all students feel safe and respected. Gender equality is essential and concrete actions are needed to a cultural shift towards valuing diversity.

keywords: Survey, Gender Diversity, Inclusion, Lack of Representation