Girls Will Code Spotlight

Sanya Chawla and Anya Chan run coding workshops for girls in the Philippines

By Nandini Mathur

Could you tell us a bit more about Girls Will Code, a brief introduction and the programs it has hosted for young women in STEM?

Sanya: “Girls will code is a youthbased organization primarily based in the Philippines. Our Mission and aim is to promote interest in young girls in STEM-related activities. We’ve been hosting “Introduction to Coding” workshops so people can get into the different (coding) languages that are out there. We also have Webinars where we showcase the different STEM fields, and we also recently hosted our first ever hack-a-thon, where people were prompted to code something that could help change their community.”

Anya: “Girls will code started with service trips so we did service trips to local elementary schools and taught girls how to code there. To compensate for that, as due to Covid we could not conduct them, we started a youtube channel and posted online workshops, we teach kids python over zoom and we also have a blog, which is quite fun.”

What initially inspired you to pursue a career in STEM and Coding?

Sanya: “I was always fascinated by technology, especially the way it has helped us. The fact that we are communicating through a Video Chat, right now, and it’s all possible because of the new nature of technology. I was very grateful that in middle school and high school I got the opportunities to explore the different fields and areas there are under STEM. I could pursue Robotics, IT, computer science. I liked that problemsolving aspect and just wanted to learn more.“

Anya: “My interest kind of just grew over time, when I was really young I really liked Math and science and I liked the exploratory nature of it, you know, you solve all these problems. You know that rush every time you solve a computer science problem or a math problem? It’s like, “Oh my god, I did it”, I love that feeling. Eventually, I started getting into robotics and technology where you actually build cool stuff, it’s more of the engineering side of it. I took up computer science, which I found out I really liked as well. Right now, I am exploring that interest.”

How do you see the status of the current gender gap in engineering and STEM changing in the next few years?

Sanya: “I think first it’s important to appreciate how far we have come, there are all these women in stem related activities and fields. I think it’s time we accelerate the process, we need to get rid of the Gap. I don’t know how long it will take the gap to close, but hopefully, in the future, it will happen. I think what really needs to change in society and the expectations it places on girls at a very young age. Hopefully, in the next couple of years, we can see young girls and boys dabbling into different fields, and finding what they enjoy. Seeing girls setting a path for themselves.”

Anya: “I think we have to acknowledge that it will not be easy changing society’s perception. A lot of individuals were raised with the idea that women are supposed to conform to certain roles. We really have to acknowledge how monumental even the smallest steps are because it’s really difficult to change a mindset that is so integrated with our society, we are not going to see change overnight, but every single thing counts and makes a difference in the end.”

How did you start out in your STEM careers, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced? What was your main motivation to break all barriers and create impact?

Sanya: “I agree with Anya, When I went into more STEM-Based subjects in High School, Threw were only two to three girls in a class of 20, which reduced my confidence. I used to not respond in class, and not participate because I did not want to be wrong and judged by the boots. When I found and joined Girls will code, I realized there were other girls in the same situation, and it felt more empowering. We wanted to lift each other up and represent women in our classes. From here, everyone does their part and empowers the women around them.”

Anya: “Representation is important, it’s important that young girls have role models and for you to have someone to collaborate with, who you can relate to, so I think the lack of women in STEM really hinders a young girl’s interest in STEM and pursuing the field. I hope to create a community at Girls will Code where we can prevent that, and have someone with whom young girls can share their passion.”

Sanya Chawla

Anya Chan