Generacion D:
Women and Technology
Theme: Promoting knowledge sharing
Phase and Stage: DIGITAL – Upskilling / reskilling
Action: Introducing role models
Beneficiaries: Women only;Girls only
Users: Policy makers
The “Women and Technology” initiative was developed by the Secretary of State for Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence (SEDIA) as part of the Generación D Portal, Spain’s national platform for promoting digital skills. The initiative was created in response to the persistent gender gap in digital skills, STEM education and ICT professions. Its main objective is to increase women’s participation in the digital ecosystem by providing a single access point to training opportunities, funding programmes, inspiring role models and networking initiatives. By bringing together these resources, the initiative seeks to encourage more women and girls to pursue digital careers and contribute to a more inclusive and competitive digital economy.
THE CHALLENGE
Despite significant progress in digital transformation, women remain underrepresented in technology-related studies, ICT occupations and leadership positions. Information on training opportunities, support programmes and professional networks was often fragmented across multiple organisations, making it difficult for potential beneficiaries to identify and access available resources. In addition, the lack of visible female role models and networking opportunities continued to discourage many women from considering careers in digital and emerging technologies.
OUR SOLUTION
To address these challenges, SEDIA launched the “Women and Technology” section within the Generación D Portal as a centralised and publicly accessible platform. The portal brings together information on training opportunities, funding schemes and initiatives aimed at women in the digital sector. It also features a dedicated section showcasing leading women in technology, highlighting their professional achievements and career paths to inspire future generations. In addition, the initiative promotes the Women and Technology Meetings, organised by SEDIA to increase the visibility of female talent, facilitate networking among professionals, and strengthen collaboration between public institutions, academia and industry. This integrated approach combines information, inspiration and community-building within a single digital platform
OUTCOMES
The initiative has established a national reference platform dedicated to women in technology within the Generación D Portal. It has improved the visibility and accessibility of training opportunities, grants and programmes offered by both public and private organisations, making them easier for women to discover and access. The platform also provides greater visibility to female leaders in digital transformation and artificial intelligence through a growing repository of biographies and success stories. Furthermore, the Women and Technology Meetings have created a dedicated forum for dialogue, networking and knowledge sharing, helping to strengthen collaboration across the digital ecosystem and reinforce the role of women in Spain’s digital transformation.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
One of the main lessons learned is that reducing the gender gap in technology requires more than offering training programmes; it also requires improving the visibility, accessibility and coordination of existing opportunities. Bringing together training initiatives, financial support, role models and networking activities within a single platform makes these resources significantly easier to access and amplifies their impact. Another important lesson is that showcasing successful women in technology provides tangible role models that can inspire more girls and women to pursue digital careers. Finally, sustained collaboration between public administrations, educational institutions, companies and civil society organisations is essential to building a stronger and more inclusive digital ecosystem capable of attracting, supporting and retaining female talent over the long term.
MOTIVATIONS OF THE PROJECT
‘The project was launched to address the persistent underrepresentation of women in the digital and technology sectors, despite the growing demand for digital skills across the economy. Existing initiatives supporting women in technology were often dispersed across different institutions and organisations, making them difficult to identify and access. At the same time, the limited visibility of female role models and the lack of dedicated networking opportunities represented additional barriers to attracting and retaining women in digital careers. The project therefore sought to create a single, accessible platform that would consolidate relevant information, showcase successful women in technology and strengthen the community supporting female participation in the digital ecosystem.
INITIAL EXECTED RESULTS AND FINAL OUTCOME
‘The initial objective was to establish a centralised digital platform that would improve access to information on training opportunities, funding programmes and initiatives promoting women in technology, while also increasing the visibility of female role models and creating opportunities for networking and collaboration. These objectives have been successfully achieved through the launch of the Women and Technology section within the Generación D Portal. The initiative now serves as a national reference point, bringing together resources from different organisations, highlighting inspiring professional careers and supporting the organisation of the Women and Technology Meetings, which have strengthened collaboration among public institutions, academia, industry and civil society. As the initiative continues to evolve, additional content and new opportunities are being incorporated to further increase its impact.
REPLICABILITY
This best practice can be replicated by national, regional or local public administrations seeking to promote gender equality in digital transformation, as well as by organisations responsible for digital skills, innovation or STEM promotion. The approach is particularly relevant for countries implementing digital inclusion or digital skills strategies, as it requires relatively limited technological investment while generating significant value through the coordination and visibility of existing initiatives. The model can also be adapted by universities, research organisations, technology clusters, professional associations and private-sector partners wishing to create a more inclusive digital ecosystem by combining information, role models, networking opportunities and access to training and funding within a single platform.
