Action to increase the presence of women in tech, the challenge.

Why gender diversity is a key issue in the tech sector

Digital technology is now at the heart of the economy. Careers in IT offer solid prospects: high employability, attractive salaries, resilience in the face of crises and significant creative potential.

Yet women remain under-represented in these professions. The reasons: persistent stereotypes, a lack of visible female role models and a phenomenon of self-censorship that is still very much present.

At 42 Lausanne, the situation is clear: the fewer women there are, the less likely they are to envisage themselves in these careers. And this cycle continues.

That is why the school has made diversity and gender equality a key strategic focus, with a simple goal: to make tech accessible to all talent, regardless of gender.

A concrete strategy to attract more women to tech

42 Lausanne’s commitment is based on three pillars: welcoming, encouraging and inspiring.

1. Creating an inclusive and safe environment

The school pays particular attention to the psychological safety of its female students. The aim is to provide an environment where everyone feels valued, supported and free to learn. This involves a collaborative culture, a clear charter and ongoing support.

2. Adapting communication to reach more women

Traditional digital campaigns naturally tend to target a predominantly male audience in the tech sector. To counter this, 42 Lausanne has launched campaigns specifically aimed at women.

An interesting result: these women-focused campaigns subsequently spread the information more widely, helping to gradually reach a more diverse audience.

3. Highlighting female role models

Student testimonials, alumni stories, public speaking engagements: the visibility of women in tech is essential for inspiring careers and changing perceptions.

Initiatives to promote inclusion

This commitment takes the form of targeted initiatives, tailored to different audiences and stages of life.

Raising awareness from a young age through schemes that create a positive first encounter with tech and encourage women to pursue careers in the field.

• La Pataugeoire Filles: a free coding camp for teenage girls (aged 12–17), supported by SATW and TecLadies

• Osez les Métiers: an immersive day to discover coding and break down stereotypes from a young age

Supporting women in career transition or currently in the workforce:

• Discovery Piscine Women: a week-long introduction to programming (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) in a supportive environment

• Women in FinTech: an event bringing together experts from finance and tech to imagine the future of the sector together

• Partnerships with Women in Tech Switzerland and committed local networks

These initiatives enable women to envisage careers in the digital sector and develop their networks.

Conclusion:

Training more women for careers in digital technology is not just a matter 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.