Action to increase the presence of women in tech, the challenge.
Tech is shaping the careers of tomorrow, but women are still under-represented. At 42 Lausanne, we're taking concrete action to change this: since 2021, the school has been rolling out inclusive initiatives to encourage more women to train in digital technology, develop their IT skills and gain access to the many opportunities offered by tech.
Why gender diversity is a key issue in tech
Digital is now at the heart of the economy. IT professions offer solid prospects: high employability, attractive salaries, resilience in the face of crises and high creative potential.
Yet women remain under-represented in these professions. The cause: persistent stereotypes, a lack of visible female role models and a phenomenon of self-censorship that is still very present.
At 42 Lausanne, this observation is clear: the less women are represented, the less they project themselves into these careers. And this circle is perpetuated.
This is why the school has made diversity and co-education a strong strategic focus, with a simple objective: to make tech accessible to all talent, regardless of gender.
A concrete strategy to attract more women into tech
42 Lausanne's commitment is based on three pillars: welcoming, encouraging and inspiring.
Creating an inclusive and secure environment
The school pays particular attention to the psychological safety of female students. The aim: to provide an environment where everyone feels legitimate, supported and free to learn. This involves a collaborative culture, a clear charter and constant support.
Adapting communication to reach more women
Traditional digital campaigns naturally tend to target a male majority in the tech field. To counter this effect, 42 Lausanne has set up campaigns specifically dedicated to women.
An interesting result: these female campaigns then spread the information more widely, helping to gradually reach a more diverse audience.
Promote female role models
Student testimonials, alumni journeys, public speeches: the visibility of women in tech is essential to create vocations and change representations.
Concrete actions to promote inclusion
This commitment is reflected in targeted initiatives tailored to different audiences and life stages.
Awareness-raising from an early age
La Pataugeoire Filles: a free computer camp for teenage girls (aged 12-17), supported by SATW and TecLadies
Osez les Métiers: an immersive day to discover code and break down stereotypes from an early age
These schemes help to create a positive first contact with tech and encourage female vocations.
Supporting women who are retraining or working
Discovery Piscine Women: a week-long introduction to programming (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) in a caring environment
Women in FinTech: an event bringing together female finance and tech experts to imagine the future of the sector together
Partnerships with Women in Tech Switzerland and committed local networks
These initiatives enable women to get a real insight into the digital professions and develop their network.
Towards a more inclusive tech: the next steps
42 Lausanne is continuing its commitment with new programmes:
technical workshops to boost the confidence of women already in post
an ambassadors programme to inspire younger generations
Conclusion
Training more women in digital professions is not just a question of fairness: it is a major economic and societal challenge.
By offering an innovative, accessible and inclusive educational model, 42 Lausanne is actively helping to build a tech sector that is more diverse, more creative and more representative of society.