The University of Manitoba will send the first all-female team to an international computer science competition. The 10 students in CS Women assembled because they wanted to showcase females in computer science.

Female students make up less than 10 per cent of U of M's computer science program. Other science technology, math and engineering programs have similarly low numbers of female students.

Recent Statistics Canada numbers show even women who score high in math and science in high school are shying away from careers in those fields.

The chair of the Women in Science and Engineering program says a lack of visible female role models contributes. She adds, women planning on having children may also worry these careers may be difficult to manage.

CS Women will compete in the CS Games along with an all male team from U of M this March.