Mastercard Girls4Tech, Enhancing Youths of Indonesia in its Third Year

For as long as she could remember, singing and playing musical instruments have been Regina’s flairs. Born in Bali, Regina is now a 10th grader in one of Karangasem’s public high schools. Finding her passion at such a young age is a privilege, however, education is a luxury Regina’s family struggles to afford, ​especially during th​​e Covid-19 pandemic. Despite the circumstances, Regina firmly believes that giving her all at school is a pathway to success. Regina studies hard and wants to be a teacher when she finishes school.

“I aspire to be a successful woman one day as I genuinely want to make my parents proud and appreciate what they have done for me so far. This is why being a Mastercard Girls4Tech participant is like a dream come true. I know I am one step forward in reaching my dreams. I want to turn my hobbies into something practical that is beneficial for others. Thanks to the mentors and all the training I had, I realized that I wanted to make a good music arrangement software that allows us to add Indonesian traditional sound effects such as gamelan, gongs, and flutes.”

Youths like Regina are the driving force of YCAB Foundation and Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. Mastercard Girls4Tech strives to go beyond and above for Indonesian women, who have fewer access and opportunities to STEM careers. With diversified gender in the workforce, these STEM careers are helping to narrow the gender pay gap, enhance women’s financial security, and prevent biases in the respective fields.

Launched in the year 2020, Mastercard Girls4Tech instills the same hope that it once preached: becoming a solid masterpiece in bridging inequalities that exist in young women. Reaching more than 40,000 students in 17 provinces in its second year, YCAB Foundation and Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth are ready to enter their third year to reach more beneficiaries with a better and improved program to reach its target.