Gender in Computer Education in Brazil and the Entry of Girls into the Area - A Systematic Review of Literature

Abstract

The insertion of women in Computing presents challenges that refer to gender issues. In areas such as technology, it is still evident that female representation is reduced compared to men. Literature shows factors that attract and diminish girls in the subjects, courses, and professions of Computing. Studies and interventions that seek to encourage girls and young people to work in Computing can to increasing the insertion of women in professional practice. This work aims to analyze factors related to the lower female presence in Computer courses and initiatives used to attract girls to this area. The methodology was a Systematic Literature Review and descriptors used were: girls, students, high school, computer science, informatics, information technology, IT. Then, sixty-three articles were analyzed. The results show that high school girls still do not know well the area of Computing. They have concerns about the stereotypes of this area being male, about women being less capable and underrepresented. Most of the works reported practical activities using tools, methodologies, and strategies to disseminate Computing and allow high school students to experience aspects of the area. Prevails the use of workshops and lectures to address the professions in the area, shows the history of women in Computing, and activities about programming, application development, and building robots. Thus, the partnership between universities and schools allows the girls to understand better the professions of Computing. They can visualize themselves in Computing in the future; meet women, undergraduate students and professionals; and feeling represented and empowered in this process.