​During the 2016 World Radiocommunication Seminar (WRS-16), which met in Geneva from 12 to 16 December, the 'Network of Women' (NOW) initiative was launched by François Rancy, Director of ITU's Radiocommunication Bureau.

The NOW initiative will encourage gender balance in decision-making bodies, panels, statutory committees and radiocommunication study groups at ITU Radiocommunication Sector events from today  until the next World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-19) which will take place in 2019.

The aim of the NOW initiative is to start building capacity early on in the WRC-19 process to encourage a larger participation of women in key roles, to attend, for example, as delegates, chairs, and vice-chairs, and to work towards achieving the 30% threshold necessary for any real change.

Additionally, it aims to encourage greater gender inclusion and to prepare women delegates in key roles for WRC-19, future radiocommunications conferences and events, and to grow the ITU women's community capacity and contribution.

The NOW initiative builds on the success of the 'We Lead' mentoring programme launched by FCC at the WRC-15 and benefits from the experience of 15 years of growing synergy between the communities of women delegates in the radiocommunication sector from the Annual Women's Breakfast, to the Women's Leadership Workshop at WRC-15.  NOW aims to continue growing this collaboration and providing a forum for sharing knowledge, networking and mentoring.  

ITU encourages 'positive actions' to accelerate the convergence towards gender equality. It is important that together, all stakeholders take ownership of this initiative and commit to ensure greater gender inclusion at ITU.