At Sisters of Code, our mission is to empower young women in Cambodia to pursue careers in technology by providing them with essential coding skills and leadership training. Thanks to the kind funding in 2022 and 2023 by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC) and the Capacity Building and Research and Development Fund (CBRD Fund), our program has successfully reached hundreds of girls across 16 provinces in Cambodia, especially benefiting those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Industry
The technology sector in Cambodia remains predominantly male-dominated. Challenges such as stereotypes and limited exploration opportunities discourage many young women from entering this field. To address these barriers, Sisters of Code partnered with the support from the CBRD Fund and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications to enhance our program in 2022 and 2023. This collaboration has enabled us to offer free leadership and coding training, fostering confidence and interest in technology among Cambodian female students.
Our Program: Creating Opportunities for Young Women
To reach students all over Cambodia, we have implemented 2 stages training - first training Sisters of Code Ambassadors, who after 15 weeks of the training would become Sisters of Code leaders in their communities. This approach allowed us to grow and reach as many students as possible, as well as establish an engaging and supportive community of female students learning digital skills together.
Sisters of Code Ambassador Program
Over the past two years, the Sisters of Code program received applications from 175 female students and accepted 60 into the program. These students were divided into four groups, with 30 selected each year. Half of each cohort opted for online studies, while the others attended physical classes at IT Academy STEP Institute. Participants came from diverse locations across Cambodia, including Phnom Penh, Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kandal, Preah Vihear, Sihanoukville, Koh Kong, Takeo, and Siem Reap. Notably, 49 students successfully graduated from the program during this period, reflecting its impactful outreach and educational success.
Sisters of Code Club Program
In 2022, we have selected five motivated Sisters of Code Ambassadors to establish local clubs, comprising two offline clubs in Battambang and Kompong Thom and three online clubs in Kandal, Siem Reap, and Preah Sihanouk. Within two weeks of announcing enrollment for new students, we received 133 applications and accepted 75 into our clubs. In 2023, the program empowered seven students to lead clubs with three physical and four online classes. We received 181 applications in just two weeks and enrolled 105 students. Overall, the program trained 180 Cambodian female students from both public and private schools, with 110 successfully graduating. Participants hailed from various regions, including Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Thom, Kandal, Banteay Meanchey, Kompong Cham, Takeo, Battambang, Pursat, and Svay Rieng.
Program Success and Future Goals
The Sisters of Code Ambassadors program has achieved notable success by providing tailored training for young women and fostering a supportive environment for learning digital skills and leadership. As an after-school initiative, it complements formal education by offering in-depth programming knowledge. Graduates are empowered to lead community projects and share their expertise with other girls, particularly in rural and marginalized areas. Led by young female ambassadors, these after-school clubs cultivate a strong sense of community. Despite challenges such as internet connectivity and access to personal computers for online learning, the program has effectively delivered expected outcomes.
We are glad to learn through our students’ surveys that 87.5% of our Sisters of Code would recommend other girls to join Sisters of Code to enjoy the same benefits we provided to them.
Also the survey revealed that 60% of the students consider that the biggest barrier for girls to join the IT field, is in finding places to learn technology , with a strong perception of 45% that they are not allowed to do so and another 5% mentioned that they do not get enough support from their family and friends. This is due to the belief that technology is hard for girls, lack of learning opportunities, and expensive courses. The survey suggests that an educational program for female students and raising awareness about equal opportunities for girls in technology is crucial, yet the survey says that study technology is very expensive. The survey also found that 30% of respondents believe learning technology is difficult for all girls, even after completing the course. To address this, the teaching approach should focus on motivating, exciting, and curious students, with practical, project-based training and fun elements.
Looking ahead, we aim to expand the initiative by enhancing soft skills training, forming new groups, and encouraging alumni to mentor other female students. By doing so, we hope to positively influence societal perceptions and inspire more young women to pursue careers in technology.
Acknowledgements
We extend our sincere gratitude to the CBRD Fund and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications for their invaluable support of the Sisters of Code program. Their contributions have been instrumental in enabling us to successfully implement our initiatives aimed at empowering young women through digital skills and leadership development. Your support has greatly facilitated our efforts to create a nurturing environment where girls can thrive and contribute positively to their communities.
The recent report overview of the Sisters of Code program work in 2022 and 2023 demonstrates how significant are after school programs, as well as keeping the focus on female students training in a supportive environment. We will continue our work to reach more students and inspire them to discover educational and career opportunities in the field of technology.
The online call on Jun 20, 2024 with the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, that was headed by His Excellency Rapid SUN is an Under Secretary of State demonstrates the Royal Government of Cambodia's sincere interest in supporting and growing educational opportunities in the Kingdom. That testifies also that Sisters of Code work is acknowledged and appreciated not only by the students, but also by the Government.
During the call, Sisters of Code and the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, agreed on sharing Sisters of Code educational resources on the online platform created by the Ministry, as well as utilizing the Learning Management System for Sisters of Code program delivery in Cambodia.
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