Esteemed colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you for a memorable Network of Women in ITU-D session here at GSR-26.
I opened this session by looking forward to new ideas and anticipating new partnerships,
as well as renewed commitment to ensuring women continue to shape the digital frontier,
and I have not been disappointed!
Thank you to our excellent speakers for sharing their insights.
For me, it is very important that we have heard from men as well as women today,
Because gender inclusion is not a “women’s issue” (!)
We will all reap the benefits of a more inclusive society,
in which women’s perspectives are heard,
and women’s leadership is felt,
so we all have a responsibility to bring that about.
It is especially important that the regulatory sector benefits from women’s involvement,
because if you are to build digital ecosystems that meet the needs of all in the years ahead, women must also have a leading role.
The defining issues of our digital future include public trust and equitable consumer protection.
It is impossible to achieve those things without the input of half the population (!)
Regulators are also responsible for ensuring ICT products and services benefit all people, everywhere.
Again, how can women not be at the forefront of such an endeavour?
That is why I have been greatly encouraged by what I have heard today.
Together, we have highlighted practical experiences and perspectives on inclusive and gender-responsive regulation,
and identified emerging considerations for embedding inclusion across evolving digital policy frameworks.
The purpose of the Network of Women in ITU-D is to amplify women’s leadership in the development sector,
And I know that today’s discussions will have strengthened peer support among women regulators and delegates,
as well as contributing to greater visibility of women’s leadership and perspectives in discussions shaping the digital future.
A few weeks ago, we celebrated International Girls in ICT Day,
and I saw first-hand the enthusiasm and determination of many of the young participants.
Thankfully, they have excellent role models to follow,
as we have seen today.
Thank you,
and keep up the good work!
