Leaders from the global ICT ecosystem have come together to reaffirm and reiterate their commitment to empowering young women in technology on The International Girls in ICT Day
It is an annual initiative spearheaded by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of April, and is fundamentally designed to inspire and empower girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) field.
This year’s theme, which is ‘Girls in ICT for inclusive digital transformation’ highlighted the critical need to bridge the gender gap in the tech sector.
Events were held globally, from workshops and coding competitions to mentorship programmes and career fairs, aiming to introduce young women to the exciting possibilities within ICT.
In the Middle East, Fida Kibbi, Vice President, Head of Marketing, Communications, Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility at Ericsson MEA, highlighted their initiatives such as Connect to Learn and Technovation Girls as an example of their unwavering commitment to empowering and nurturing female talent in technology.
“On this International Girls in ICT Day, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering young women in technology. The journey may present challenges but overcoming them leads to a rewarding future. At Ericsson, we are dedicated to nurturing female talent through initiatives like Connect to Learn and Technovation Girls, providing opportunities and resources for success. By championing diversity and inspiring the next generation of leaders, we aim to ensure that young girls see themselves as future pioneers in ICT. Together, we can transform our industry and society, driving innovation and creating a more inclusive world that values the contributions of women in technology,” said Kibbi.
Martine Billmann, Marketing Manager, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Genetec, echoed the sentiments expressed by Ericsson, and stressed that they believe that ‘diversity’ is the key to future innovation in the ICT landscape.
“At Genetec, we believe that diversity is key to innovation, especially in critical fields like technology and security. On International Girls Day in ICT, we celebrate the critical role that women and girls can play in advancing the security industry and beyond. Encouraging more women to enter and lead in tech and security isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s essential for building inclusive, resilient, and forward-looking solutions. By fostering equal opportunities and breaking down barriers, we pave the way for a smarter, safer and unified world – powered by the insights and leadership of women,” said Billman.
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the ITU, highlighted how they launched Girls in ICT Day back in 2011, and that their mission is more important than ever before.
“Today, we celebrate the power and potential of young women and girls as leaders, creators and changemakers in the digital age. Technologies like AI are rapidly transforming our world. But one-third of humanity remains shut out from digital opportunities. In fact, 189 million fewer women than men are using the internet in 2024. That’s too many missed opportunities to learn, to earn, and to shape our shared digital future, because everyone deserves the chance to thrive in an increasingly digital-world. At ITU, we are committed to empowering 100 million women and girls with digital skills through initiatives like our EQUALS Global Partnership, but we can’t do this alone. We launched Girls in ICT Day back in 2011, to open digital doors for girls everywhere. Today, that mission is more important than ever before. Because real transformation only happens when women and girls are not just in the room, and at the table, but at the forefront of digital change,” said Bogdan-Martin.