The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and partners will today, Thursday, April 22, 2021 host a webinar to mark the International Girls in ICT Day. The webinar seeks to build awareness about the gender digital divide on the continent. As such, it will encourage more girls and young women to actively pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The theme for the webinar is ‘Connected African Girls, Creating Brighter Futures’. It will facilitate discussions among policymakers and stakeholders to address the fundamental issues concerning women in ICT. The event will empower girls and young women to actively become computer programmers, creators, and designers. This will further place them on track to take up studies and careers in the ICT sector.
Also, the ECA will launch during the webinar its web e-learning platform, the “Learning Girls in ICT initiative”. The e-learning platform will provide the necessary technical education and skills to young women and girls in Africa. This will help promote Africa’s integration, generate inclusive economic growth, and stimulate job creation.
The ECA is partnering with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), UN Women, and eWorldwide Group to host the webinar.
Message from the UN Secretary-General
The Secretary-General of the UN, António Guterres stated that Information and communication technologies have been invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They help us to stay connected and to keep vital services and businesses going. Yet almost half the world is still offline. Most of those who lack access to digital technology are women and girls in developing countries”.
António Guterres
Moreover, the UN Chief indicated that the latest figures from the ITU show a 17% gender gap in internet use globally. According to him, “this is even wider in least developed countries”. He added that in some regions, this gender gap is growing, reinforcing gender inequalities. This is denying women and girls opportunities to access education, find better-paid jobs, and start new businesses.
Meanwhile, he noted that making these technologies available to all is an essential part of building back stronger communities and economies. This will also result in “addressing many of the world’s most pressing challenges”.
“International Girls in ICT Day aims to inspire a global movement to increase the representation of girls and women in technology. Today, let’s recommit to the goal of equal access for young women and girls to opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math”.
Empowering girls in STEM
On its part, the ITU noted that girls across the world tend to outperform boys in reading and writing skills. However, only few girls pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
As such, the ITU detailed that it is working with partners to build awareness about the gender digital divide. It is also supporting technology education and skills training. Above all, the ITU is working to encourage more girls and young women to actively pursue careers in STEM. Consequently, the ITU invites all and sundry to join the movement and celebrate International Girls in ICT Day.
