Under the theme "expand horizons, change attitudes," ITU's International Girls in ICT Day 2018 will be observed on Thursday, 26 April.
International Girls in ICT Day is a global effort to help bridge the digital divide by encouraging young women and girls to pursue studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and by highlighting the value that women bring to the tech sector. Events are held by schools, youth groups, civic organizations and government agencies around the globe. In recent years, Girls in ICT Day events have expanded from one-day events to on-going global programmes designed to teach girls about ICTs throughout the year.
The day was founded by and is supported by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations specialized agency for ICTs, as part of efforts by ITU and its 193 Member States to bridge the digital gender divide.
Since its inception, over 300,000 girls and young women have taken part in more than 9,000 International Girls in ICT Day events in 166 countries worldwide – with thousands of more girls expected to be added to the number this year. Organizers of events and initiatives are provided with
resources to promote their events. They then pin their events on the ITU International Girls in ICT Day
map – creating an interactive and growing global display of the many activities taking place around the world. A global dialogue using #GirlsinICT will also be taking place
ICTs are a key driver of gender equality and women's empowerment. With improved access to these transformative technologies, women and girls can benefit from increased employment and business opportunities. Statistics are staggering: 66.6 million young people are currently unemployed worldwide and 144.9 million young workers in emerging or developing countries are living in extreme or moderate poverty.
In the coming years there will be tens of millions of jobs for people with advanced digital skills and nearly all jobs will require at least basic digital skills.
ITU advocates and promotes the use of ICTs to ensure that women and girls have the necessary skills and tools to fully exploit the benefits of today's digital economy.
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WHAT: International Girls in ICT Day 2018 – "expand horizons, change attitudes" – video b-roll will be made available on Tuesday, 24 April. Please contact:
jennifer.ferguson-mitchell@itu.int. Stock images from previous years
available here.
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WHEN: 26 April 2018
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WHERE:
Worldwide
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WHY: To advocate and promote the use of ICTs to ensure women and girls have the necessary skills and tools to fully exploit the benefits of today's digital economy.
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WHO: Thousands of young women and girls worldwide.
Useful participant info:
For any queries regarding adding your event to the map, please contact
girlsinict@itu.int
