In Mercado Libre, we conceive education as a cornerstone in the social inclusion and equity agenda, and our goal is to reduce the knowledge gaps by providing opportunities. We are aware of the fact that despite digital transformation, women 's role in this area is still poor. Therefore, we promote programs encouraging their access to competences and attitudes necessary to work and create value in the industry of knowledge, and to the benefit of a sustainable future.

According to data furnished by UNESCO, female students enrolled in the field of information technology and communications around the world account for only 3%. At the age of 15, only 0.5% of young women want to become a professional in the field of science and technology, as compared to 5% of men.

Conectadas arises from the huge digital gap, as a regional Mercado Libre’s initiative seeking to bring Latin American teenagers to technology, providing them with tools and confidence to become change agents in the creation of innovative solutions in the face of the challenges identified by them in their communities.

Conectadas is an immersive online free program providing young people with technological and management abilities through a series of virtual panels, workshops and talks with experts, where they can learn about digital transformation, economy 4.0 and sustainability,  UX Research and Data, digital project and business development, digital communication and marketing, etc.

In alliance with the organization Chicas en Tecnología and the social startup Reprograma, Conectadas encourages girls from 14 to 18 years old to build a collaborative community that inspires and empowers them. In this way, a network of engaged young girls from different environments and countries is created, which get involved, think and design technology based projects in teams.

Launched in April 2021, the program has already two editions, of which more than 2,700 teenagers from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay have taken part. Young women have developed more than 370 technological projects of social impact, mostly focused on health and well-being, quality education and climate action. They were accompanied by 68 professional women from Mercado Libre, leaders, specialists and referents in technology.

After being part of the program, almost one hundred young people obtained scholarships to continue training in technology and innovation, specializing in application and web page design, programming with Python, Front End and Full Stack, among others.