Could an ordinary school day spark the ambition that changes a life forever?
For 600 Year 8 girls in Northern Ireland, it just might have. On an otherwise typical Belfast morning, the ICC building buzzed with excitement. Inside, the CyberFirst Empower Girls event, supported by CyberFirst and Aflac Northern Ireland, was about to shake things up.
Here’s the reality check: women represent only 23% of Northern Ireland’s tech workforce. It’s not for lack of talent, far from it. The potential has always been there, hidden beneath outdated stereotypes and limited opportunities. Empower Girls was created to flip that narrative, and the energy in the room was electric proof it’s working.
Economy Minister Dr. Caoimhe Archibald captured it perfectly: “These young women aren’t just students; they’re Northern Ireland’s future innovators and tech leaders.” She wasn’t exaggerating. By the day’s end, the shift was clear, interest in tech careers surged from 40% to 72% among attendees.
This transformation wasn’t accidental. Over 50 tech firms and institutions united, delivering hands-on activities that translated complex concepts into thrilling, real-world experiences. Workshops from Microsoft, interactive demos from Kainos, and inspirational talks by female role models from ASOS and the PSNI made tech accessible and genuinely appealing.
Sara Lyons, who manages CyberFirst NI, explained why this matters: “The future demands cyber skills, and young women deserve to lead that charge. Events like this aren’t just nice to have, they’re essential.”
Mark McCormack from Aflac Northern Ireland echoed this sentiment. “Diversity isn’t optional, it’s fundamental to innovation. The energy these young women bring is exactly what the tech industry desperately needs.”
Teachers saw firsthand the ripple effect. Rachel Armstrong, head of ICT at Strathearn School, called it one of the best experiences her students ever had. “You hope for moments like these, when students’ eyes light up and they suddenly see potential where before there was none.”
But let’s zoom out for a moment. Why does all this matter beyond one day of excitement?
Northern Ireland’s future economic health depends on its tech industry. Yet, recent data reveals a troubling imbalance: women represent half the workforce but only 16% study computer science. Bridging this gap is vital, not just for fairness, but for regional prosperity and innovation.
Globally, other initiatives have proven effective in addressing similar disparities. Programs like Girls Who Code in the US, UK, Canada, and India have trained over 500,000 girls in coding, significantly impacting career choices. Code First Girls in the UK and Ireland has empowered more than 50,000 women through free coding courses. Women in Tech Africa (WiTA) and Nigeria’s Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) have also made substantial strides in bridging the gender gap, providing mentorship, training, and career pathways in technology.
The Empower Girls event isn’t a standalone effort, it’s part of the broader CyberFirst Schools and Colleges scheme, aiming to ignite and nurture tech interests from early education onward continually.
Aflac, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and dozens of other tech leaders have committed to continuing this momentum. With dedicated ambassadors and industry support, they aim to foster a new generation of women who see themselves clearly in the tech story.
Want to help keep the momentum going? Educators can integrate inclusive tech curricula, set up engaging tech clubs, and promote growth mindsets among students. Companies can establish mentorship programs, adopt inclusive hiring practices, and sponsor empowering community events. Individuals can volunteer their skills, advocate for greater tech diversity, and continuously educate themselves and others about gender equity in technology.
As Empower Girls wrapped up, students left with newfound curiosity and confidence. Educators noted the excitement and optimism the event created among their students. They didn’t just leave inspired, they left empowered, ready to become the faces and voices of tomorrow’s tech leaders.
Can events like Empower Girls really reshape the tech industry’s future? Absolutely. And it all starts by giving young women a glimpse of who they can become.
Now the real question is, how will you help keep the momentum going?
