Celebrating International Women’s Day: Inspiring the Next Generation in Technology
International Women’s Day is an important moment to celebrate progress and highlight the amazing female role models in technology, but we know the work to create a more inclusive technology sector needs to happen every day.
At Tech She Can, we believe that improving gender balance in technology isn’t just about International Women’s Day – it’s about building and working on a better tech future together a sa collaboration, for everyone. Our mission is to inspire children and young people, especially those from underrepresented groups in tech like girls, to see the possibilities of a future in technology and to ensure the next generation understands that tech is a place where they belong.
This International Women’s Day is another opportunity to amplify that message, working with educators, industry partners and the fantastic role models out there to reach thousands of students across the UK and help challenge outdated perceptions of who belongs in tech.
Inspiring classrooms all over the UK
This week, in line with International Women’s Day 2026 we launched the Regenerative AI Roadshow with Accenture, in which we’ll visit 44 schools across the UK. Through these sessions, students explore how AI is shaping the world around them and the exciting careers that could be part of their future.
By bringing real-world technology and Accenture’s role models into classrooms, we help spark curiosity and show young people that they too can be part of designing the technology that will shape tomorrow. During this roadshow we’re aiming to inspire around 10,000 students across the UK by August 2026.
Earlier this week we joined Dr Krish Kandiah OBE from Sanctuary Foundation on their Great Big Live Assembly, which reached more than 49,000 children across primary and secondary schools. The assembly brought together Gemma Hunt, from CBBC and Cbeebies and Roya Mahboob, the first female tech CEO in Afghanistan and showcased the recent movie Rule Breakers. Our Head of Education, Becky Patel also highlighted what we do at Tech She Can and Sara Cornish, Head of marketing for Minecraft Education, shared her story on why she works in technology at Minecraft Education. Watch the assembly here
#GiveToGain: celebrating the power of partnership
This International Women’s Day, we also launched our #GiveToGain social series, shining a spotlight on the organisations and individuals who support Tech She Can’s mission.
Through funding, volunteering, sharing expertise and opening their workplaces, our partners help bring inspiring technology stories and role models into classrooms across the UK.
As Dr Hema Prem, Vice President at Infosys, shared:
"When Infosys hosted the Tech She Can Teacher CPD Day, we weren’t just providing funding, we were investing in educators who shape future talent. By giving funding, our time and opening our office space, teachers across the UK gained the confidence and tools to inspire thousands more young people into tech."
Similarly, Dr Kevin P Stenson, Director of RAF Charitable Trust, highlighted the impact of funding the Safer Internet Live Lessons, which reached over 70,000 students:
"When we strategically invest in scaling activities, students gain the knowledge and confidence to navigate their digital futures."
Words inspire, but action creates change. As a charity, Tech She Can can only reach schools and inspire the next generation through the support of industry. We’re incredibly grateful to those who already fund our work – but we still need more to help drive real change.
Collaborating with industry to drive change
International Women’s Day is also about working with organisations that share our vision for a more inclusive technology sector.
This year we were proud to be a Charity Partner at Tech Show London, where our Co-CEO, Dr Claire Thorne, hosted a panel with Resham Kotecha, Global Head of Policy at the Open Data Institute and Dom Falcão Founding Director at UK venture creator Deep Science Ventures discussing: Shaping UK Tech: Skills, Talent and Growth. Discussing AI, social mobility, skills and talent.
Our partnerships with organisations like Accenture also continue to grow. As part of their International Women’s Day celebrations, Tech She Can’s Founder & Co CEO Sheridan Ash MBE is invited to speak at Accenture’s internal global IWD event, engaging with women across the organisation about the importance of inspiring the next generation and creating pathways into technology.
Continuing the momentum
International Women’s Day is an important moment, but the mission continues every day.
Through our work with schools, industry partners and volunteers, Tech She Can is helping more young people see themselves not just as users of technology, but as the creators and innovators of the future.
Together, we can ensure the next generation grows up knowing that technology is a space where they belong.
