On International Girls in ICT Day, Ana Teresa Freitas, INESC-ID researcher and President of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (DEI) at Instituto Superior Técnico, published an opinion article in Público that highlights a persistent and often overlooked issue in the digital transformation: the underrepresentation and under recognition of women in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

The researcher, that has been actively involved in this subject, begins by reminding readers that the history of ICT is rich with the contributions of pioneering women. From Ada Lovelace, who wrote the first algorithm, to programming pioneers like Grace Hopper, Ida Rhodes, Jean Bartik, Kathleen Antonelli, and many others, women have played a foundational role in shaping the digital world. Yet their names are often left out of the narrative, and their legacies remain under-celebrated.

Despite this long-standing contribution, Ana Teresa points out that women and girls continue to be a minority in ICT, not because of a lack of ability or interest, but because of structural and cultural barriers that persist in education, hiring, promotion, and workplace environments. Too often, efforts to address this imbalance have focused on encouraging women to adapt to male-dominated models of behaviour and success—what she calls “fixing the women.” Instead, the author argues, we must fix the system.

“The rules of the game need to be rewritten,” Ana Teresa insists, “so that success no longer depends on fitting into outdated moulds but on valuing diverse profiles and work styles.” Diverse teams, she explains, are more innovative and better equipped to design solutions that reflect the needs of diverse populations. In a sector where talent is scarce, attracting and retaining women isn’t just about fairness, it’s a competitive imperative.

There are, however, reasons for optimism. In 2024, 40% of PhD theses defended at DEI were presented by women.

“Talent has no gender, and the technology of the future needs every brilliant mind. It’s up to all of us to fix the system so that this talent is not wasted, but empowered.”

The article is available here (under paywall).