The purpose of the Mimmit koodaa -program (women code -program) is to increase equality in the Finnish software industry by breaking the stereotype that coding is only for men.
The core of the program is to provide easily accessible coding workshops free of charge for women who are interested in coding but have no previous experience in it. The program is powered by the Finnish Software and E-business Association and its member companies.
The long-term objective of #mimmitkoodaa is to help give future generations an equal opportunity to study and flourish in the IT field, especially in the software industry. In the future, every company will be a software company and there will be an increasing need to use, customize, buy and develop software.
In December 2019 The EESC shared the Civil Society Prize, which rewards initiatives aimed at raising awareness about and fighting for gender equality in the EU. The Mimmit koodaa -program was awarded for combatting the stereotype that software development is only for men. Program leader Milja Köpsi was nominated for the “2020 Nordic Women in Tech Award” for the Diversity Leader award.
Mimmit koodaa has more than 6000 women, more than 50 companies, more than 2,000 workshop places offered, numerous workshops, challenges, exercises, etc.