Affirmative Hackathons for Women: An Experience Report on Inclusion and Opportunities in Technology

• Ana Carolina Oran UFAM
• Glecem Emilia de Castro Gaia Instituto de Pesquisas Eldorado
• Ellen Jessica de Souza Amorim Instituto de Pesquisas Eldorado
• Ketlen K. Teles Lucena UFAM
• Fabiola Nakamura UFAM

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/wit.2025.9093

Abstract

This article presents an experience report on the organization of an affirmative hackathon exclusively for women, aimed at fostering the inclusion of female university students in the field of Information Technology (IT). The event sought to promote women’s participation in technology through mentorship sessions and technical challenges in the areas of Full Stack Development, Camera Testing, and Embedded Android for Cameras. Over the course of an immersive day, 20 students from technology programs at the Federal University of Amazonas engaged in hands-on activities guided by experienced mentors. The initiative culminated in the selection of six participants for internship positions. A qualitative analysis of the feedback questionnaires revealed significant positive impacts on the students’ self-confidence, career perspectives, and readiness for the job market. The article also outlines lessons learned and opportunities for improvement in future editions of the event.

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