Celebrate International Girls in ICT Day 2017

Did you know that only 30 per cent of the 7 million people working in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector are women? This means not only that ICT careers need to be made more appealing for young girls, but also that women in ICT need better representation at higher levels.

Date 2017-04-27 Author
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The International Girls in ICT Day is celebrated each year on the fourth Thursday of April. It aims to empower and encourage young women and girls to embrace ICT education and ICT careers from an early age. This year, on 27 April, Ministries of Education, youth and ICT will be brought together to collaborate with industry, NGOs and other stakeholders with a view to bridging the gender gap in the ICT sector.

The Girls in ICT initiative aligns with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, and especially SDG5 set up for ensuring better education, better job prospects and especially tackling gender inequality and access to the labour market for women and girls. Particularly in the context of the ICT sector being one of the fastest growing sectors in terms of job opportunities, investment and innovation, it is essential that girls are not left behind. While research shows that girls and boys are equally interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects at an early age, this changes around the age of 15. What are the reasons behind this almost sudden loss of interest in these subjects and career paths? Is it because of a severe lack of representation? A lack of role models or perhaps an intrinsic feeling they would not be treated equally to their male classmates?

A study conducted by Microsoft says it may be a combination of all of the above. This is why the International Girls in ICT initiative is extremely important: not only to raise awareness about the need for more women in STEM and ICT careers, but also to find solutions towards achieving gender balance in this sector by tackling the issue from all levels.

The Better Internet for Kids (BIK) portal offers plenty of resources and inspiring stories about young women and girls making their mark in the digital world. Initiatives from the Insafe network of Safer Internet Centres (SICs), for instance, are focused on helping young people lead fruitful and empowered digital lives, while informing them about issues such as online safety and how to creatively use modern technology for social and educational purposes. One good example of promoting young female digital entrepreneurship is this video blog by Evelina, a YouTube star from Latvia, who addresses issues surrounding an online career as a YouTuber, relating to one's audience and responding to online advertising.

To learn more about International Girls in ICT Day and join the celebrations, have a look at the 75 events organised across the globe by visiting the interactive map on the ITU Girls in ICT portal. Additionally, follow the events of Girls in ICT Day online using the hashtag #Girlsinict on social media.

Image copyright ITU.int

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