CLOSING THE GENDER GAP IN TECHNOLOGY REQUIRES EVIDENCE

She's Digital a regional initiative of Junior Achievement Americas that aims to train, certify, and empower young women in vulnerable situations to pursue careers in technology.

The program addresses a structural gap: the low participation of women in the IT sector, which is driven by social, economic, and educational barriers.

Between October 2025 and January 2026 , an impact assessment of the first edition of the program—conducted in partnership with IDB Lab— was carried out with the aim of identifying concrete outcomes in terms of employability, income, confidence, and skills development, as well as assessing how well the program aligns with actual demand in the technology job market.

Regional scope and training model

The program trained young women from six countries using a comprehensive model that combines technical training, social-emotional skills, and support for entering the workforce.

Women receiving scholarships, by country

[Map of the first edition of She's Digital]

Two educational paths

International certifications

Program components

Through the program, I learned a new technical language from scratch and developed key social-emotional skills, supported by a team of multidisciplinary, empathetic, and dedicated professionals who encouraged me not to give up.

Participant, She's Digital

Women committed to a future in technology

graduates in cybersecurity

graduates in Web Development

Challenging contexts, high potential for impact

56%

They live in situations of housing insecurity

36%

s are in charge

26%

They are the heads of

72%

She joined the program while unemployed

Women from vulnerable backgrounds with little or no prior experience with technology.

They aren't "outside the system," but they are far removed from quality opportunities. That is exactly where She's Digital comes in.

Thanks to She's Digital , I feel more confident in my decisions She's Digital . It encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and trust that I can build the career I want.

Participant, She's Digital

The program builds confidence and self-efficacy

"I remain calm in the face of difficulties"

85%

"I can handle any problem"

88%

Self-efficacy is the key factor in employability.

Without confidence, technical training isn't enough.

SELF-CONFIDENCE

Greater self-efficacy and confidence

TEAMWORK

Positive collaboration in diverse work environments

COMMUNICATION

Oral and written communication in professional settings

TROUBLESHOOTING

l critical thinking applied to real-world challenges

ADAPTING TO CHANGE

Resilience in the Face of New Environments and Technologies

PROACTIVITY

Submitting resumes and actively seeking opportunities

Technical skills can be learned, but social-emotional skills are harder to develop. The fact that the program addresses both is a huge advantage.

Participant, She's Digital

FROM TRAINING TO ACTUAL EMPLOYABILITY

Once the technical training is complete, the program begins a specific mentoring phase focused on employability and the transition to the job market.

female employees work in technology roles

0 %

in its average revenue growth

+ 0 %

High satisfaction: Overall NPS of 73, with a sustained improvement in subsequent cohorts (NPS 76) 76%

This wasn't just a transfer of knowledge. It was a mutual learning experience that reaffirms
the enormous potential of women in technology.

Mentor, She's Digital

+12 points

Improved employability: the employment rate rose from 25% to 37% after completing the program

+18 points

Improvement in employment quality: access to formal employment rose from 48% to 66%

The certification opened many doors for me. Today I work in a tech role in my country, and that has completely changed my life.

Participant, She's Digital

A program tailored to market demand

The study analyzed 79,244 job searches across six countries, focusing on three major job sites.

technology searches

They were looking for junior candidates (with no experience or ≤ 1 year of experience)

0 %

mentioned social-emotional skills

0 %

Customer Service

29%

Leadership

21%

Teamwork

25%

Flexibility and adaptability

19%

Gender and age bias still persists in the sector. Programs like She's Digital break down those barriers through targeted training and the development of skilled talent.

Project Manager, She's Digital

Evidence to demonstrate the impact

The results confirm that She's Digital an effective program for reducing gender gaps, improving employability, and strengthening the economic independence of young women in vulnerable situations.