Dentsu partners with Code Like A Girl to support more Australian women considering a career in tech

Dentsu International has today announced a new strategic partnership with Code Like A Girl, a social enterprise providing those who identify as a woman with the confidence, tools, knowledge and support to enter, and flourish, in the world of coding. 

With many career paths no longer linear, Code Like A Girl is opening up doors for anyone to explore a career in technology, regardless of age, professional background, or academic history. 

Founded in 2015 by Ally Watson, a dentsu alumni and OAM receiver, the organisation focuses on three key streams: 

• School of Code, offering online courses for women looking to kick start a career in coding 
• Internships, helping talented women get a foot in the door with Australia’s leading companies; and 
• Online events, enabling women to broaden their network.

As part of the partnership, dentsu will support the organisation in reaching their goal of reducing gender inequality through providing quality education and career pathways. This includes exploring opportunities for Code Like A Girl interns to join the dentsu network. 

Angela Tangas, CEO of Dentsu ANZ, commented: “In Australia, one in four people working in technology are those who identify as female. For the size, growth, and future opportunity of the sector, this is a number we must turn a dial on as a nation, particularly if we want to reach the goal of creating 1.2 million tech jobs across the country by 2030. 

“A key part of our social impact focus is to create more opportunity for people and reduce the digital divide. Over the next decade, our aim is to develop people's understanding of the evolving digital landscape and create change for the better. 

“There is therefore a natural values alignment between dentsu and Code Like A Girl. With technology, data, and digital capabilities running through all parts of our business, we look forward to supporting Ally and the team in growing their organisation and making a career in technology more attractive to Australians from all backgrounds,” said Tangas. 

Ally Watson, CEO and Founder of Code Like A Girl, commented: "As a dentsu web developer in a past-life, I've seen first-hand the incredible innovation and digital capabilities the Group has to offer. From day one, we felt a deep alignment with the dentsu leadership team when it came to our mission. We look forward to combining our efforts to enable and enhance the technical capabilities and opportunities for women in tech, leveraging the vast network at dentsu." 

For more information on dentsu’s social impact strategy, visit here. For more information on Code Like A Girl, visit here.