“Girls DO Code” was launched in 2022 with the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) Vocational & Technical Anatolian High Schools to build digital skills and momentum towards a better future to empower women.
The program seeks to equip female students with theoretical and practical education to participate in economic life, improve social-cultural and economic conditions. After comprehensive and intense meetings, online education portal "Reelab.com.tr" has been created so that thousands of students can benefit.
So far, 2.680 students who meet criteria, aged 17-25 studying in 50 Vocational & Technical Education High Schools from five rural cities participated in the Reelab.com.tr. The initiative's aim is to set them up for their futures and get more girls into careers that require coding skills. The courses will support them to become successful professionals like software developers, engineers, computer programmers, and scientists.
Girls DO Code will continue to develop itself in 2023-2024 with seven new cities including two cities where a devastating earthquake took place last year. Therefore, it is aimed to reach approximately 6.700 students for practical education and approximately 780 students for theoretical education desired to be achieved in the next period totally.
The Development of the Initiative
Reeder with its knowledge and sense of responsibility took a visionary step in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) Vocational&Technical Anatolian High Schools in two pillars – theoretical and practical education.
With the guidance of the MoNE and comprehensive researches, five selected cities, 50 schools where female students need support the most are determined. Each school staff was officially visited and encouraged to participate in the program explaining the perspective of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) education. Each classroom in schools was designed for practical education.
Students were introduced to “Maker Culture, Design Thinking, 3D Design, Algorithms, Game Design, Coding, Mobile Programming”, which lasted approximately 6 hours and consisted of seven modules, in line with the MoNE curriculum. Successful female students who completed their education with the first pillar of theoretical education and exams attended in STEAM-based hands-on 3 days practical education in their own surrounding cities. They had an opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge into practice and produce their first prototypes.
Therefore, “Girls DO Code” reached 2.680 female students through online (theoretical) education, and 278 students through hands-on workshops (practical education), in first year. Female students who completed all education received a certificate of achievement from MoNE, which will rescue them in their education and career journey one-step ahead of their peers.
Internship priority is given to the students who apply at Reeder factories if the conditions are suitable. In addition, opportunities such as participation in the "Reeder Software Development, Design Competition" which is held each year are given.
About the Reeder Technology
As a signatory to UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, Reeder works to mainstream gender in its operations and across supply chains. It collaborates with customers, implementing partners, and government entities to harness the combined power of gender equality and women’s empowerment interventions.
Reeder is Türkiye's largest domestic smartphone manufacturer and new-generation technology products brand, strives to remove barriers to women in technology. It supports the power of women, the ratio of female 55% and shareholders 63%.
United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals supported by the Girls DO Code Initiative, Goal 4: Quality Education, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities, and Goal 17: Partnerships for Goals.
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