The Reality of Girls and Coding: Debunking Gender Stereotypes

('Do girls have interest in coding?') Yes, they do always have and always will, since the dawn of computing in the 1940s. There's nothing at all gender-specific in ability or desire to program.

Overcoming Myths and Stereotypes

Hi,

I regret that I once thought that boys were more into programming. Over the last couple of years, I've come across at least five such girls with sublime skill, dedication, and interest. I would gladly like to think programming is definitely gender-agnostic.

Thanks
Sumeet Malik

Observations in the IT Field

I've been working in the IT field for the past nine years. During my college days, when I was completing my BSC in Computer Science, the girls in my class used to complete all the assignments, whereas the boys used to copy from them. However, when I started working, I observed a different scenario. This is what I've seen:

Majority of the girls get stuck when they have to apply some logic to create the code. They are usually very good in remembering commands or other theoretical things but when it comes to logic, they struggle. This difficulty is often due to the presence of male colleagues who can help them and complete their work. Usually, girls can remember a lot of things but when it comes to applying their brains, they fail.

However, girls still get good appraisal ratings and promotions. They often become managers after a few years in IT, so that they don't have to code anymore.

Busting the Gender Myth in Programming

Why do we need to bring sexism into everything? How does gender relate to computers and programming?

Now, coming to your question, any human interested in the working of a software likes programming, including girls. As a matter of fact, various Indian institutions acknowledge that more girls get enrolled in computer science and IT than they do in any other science course.

I, as a girl, like and love programming.

Historic Figures in Tech

Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer, is considered to have written instructions for the first computer program in the mid-1800s. In 1980, the U.S. Department of Defense named a newly developed computer language 'Ada' in her honor.

Margaret Hamilton, a pioneering female computer scientist, is the woman who saved the moon landing. An incredible photograph shows her alongside the code she and her colleagues wrote for the Apollo 11 guidance computer that made the moon landing possible.

Further Reading and Resources

For more information on Margaret Hamilton, see:

Margaret Hamilton Scientist Ada Lovelace Biography

Learn more about Ada Lovelace and Margaret Hamilton:

Meet Ada Lovelace, the Ada Language Heres an Amazing Picture of Margaret Hamilton Meet Margaret Hamilton the Badass 60s Programmer Who Saved the Moon Landing

Programming is not just for boys. Every human, regardless of gender, can and should have an interest in it. Let's encourage and support girls in the tech field, just as we do boys.