Our Work
We are closing the gender gap in cybersecurity
At Girls Can Hack, we close the gender gap in cybersecurity by empowering girls and young women as builders, defenders, and leaders in the digital world. Our programs are rooted in values of equity, autonomy, and justice, offering a powerful combination of education, mentorship, community and thought leadership.
​
We work globally—with programs in the U.S., Spain, Kenya, and India combining international reach with local partnerships to adapt our approach to each community’s unique needs.
What We Do
Awareness & Outreach
We introduce cybersecurity through school clubs, safety talks, digital campaigns, and public events—showing girls that they belong in tech and their voices matter.
Mentorship & Leadership
Through our mentorship program and Digital Safety Ambassador initiative, girls receive guidance from women professionals and are empowered to teach and lead others.
Hands-On Education
Our accessible, community-based trainings cover topics like ethical hacking, online safety, encryption, and digital hygiene, using gamified and practical learning methods.
Global Network & Collaboration
We partner with grassroots organizations, educators, and tech professionals around the world to share knowledge, amplify impact, and build inclusive pathways into cybersecurity.
Girls Can Hack On-Going Achievements
Equipping hundreds of graduates
Equipping hundreds of graduates to lead in cybersecurity
Educating the next generation
Building the future by educating girls in cybersecurity and digital safety.
Regular events
Regular networking events creating career pathways and mentorship opportunies.
A growing global network
A growing global network of women and nonbinary professionals leading change in cyber security.
Reframing the narrative
Reframing the hacker narrative to center justice, care, and curiosity.
PROJECTS & PARTNERSHIPS
CyberSafe Girls – Kenya
In partnership with Sky Girls Kenya, Girls Can Hack is leading the CyberSafe Girls Initiative, a groundbreaking project to equip girls with the skills and tools to stay safe online. Through interactive workshops, platform-specific training, and accessible resources, the program teaches digital safety across WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
We provide practical guidance, including incident response playbooks and security templates tailored to Sky Girls' needs. With mentorship and girl-centered content, we’re building lasting digital confidence and resilience—empowering Kenyan girls to navigate the internet with knowledge, safety, and power.
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY
Global and Demographic Insights
These statistics underscore the ongoing gender disparities in cybersecurity and highlight areas where targeted efforts can foster greater inclusion and equity in the field.
Regional Variations
In a study of 14 countries, Italy had the highest percentage of women in cybersecurity at 26.7%, while Germany had the lowest at 14.6%. The United States was in the middle at 18.3%. Source
Women of Color
Women of color constitute approximately 22% of cybersecurity employees, highlighting the need for more inclusive representation. Source
Educational Backgrounds
Only 38% of women in cybersecurity come from an IT background, compared to 50% of men. Interestingly, women have higher rates of entering the field through self-learning (20% vs. 14% for men). Source
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY
Challenges and Opportunities
Layoffs and Job Satisfaction
In 2024, 32% of women in cybersecurity reported experiencing layoffs, a higher rate than their male counterparts at 23%. Job satisfaction among women also declined to 67%, down from 82% in 2022. Source
Youth Representation
The federal cybersecurity workforce is aging, with only 6.3% of full-time cyber employees under the age of 30, compared to nearly 20% of the overall U.S. labor force in that age group.