It is therefore crucial that young women learn to code and consider careers in ICT as early as possible, so that they have a stake in the digital economy of the future. That is why Labor will launch Girls into Code – a $4.5 million grants program to support organisations that promote, encourage and inspire girls to learn code. Improving rates of participation by women in technology jobs involves capturing girls’ interest early, by providing opportunities for them to experience the creative side of ICT as through Carnegie Mellon’s Alice and MIT’s Scratch initiatives.
favourably mentions underprivileged minorities, for example handicapped, homosexuals or immigrants