International Girls in ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Day is annually observed across the globe on the 4th Thursday in April to encourage and empower girls and young women to explore and pursue careers in the field of ICT.
The International Girls in ICT Day 2023 was observed on 27th April 2023.
- The International Girls in ICT 2022 was observed on 28th April 2022
- The International Girls in ICT 2024 will be observed on 25th April 2024.
The Theme of International Girls in ICT Day 2023 is “Digital Skills for Life”.
Note: International Girls in ICT Day is annually observed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations (UN) specialized agency for ICTs.
- The day is co-organized by the UN, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), The Broadband Commission, the UN Women), the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), the UN University (UNU), the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) Secretariat, and the CISCO Networking Academy.
Aim:
The day aims to inspire a global movement to increase the representation of girls and women in technology.
Background:
i. On 8th April 2011, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), announced that every year the 4th Thursday in April will be observed as International Girls in ICT Day.
- “Girls in ICT Day” is the direct result of the adoption of Resolution 70 by ITU’s Plenipotentiary Conference in Guadalajara, Mexico, in October 2010.
- The Resolution demanded the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women through International communication technology.
ii. The 1st ever International Girls in ICT was observed on 28th April 2011.
2023 Global Event: Girls in ICT- Digital Skills for Life
i. On 27th April 2023, as part of the Transform Africa Summit 2023, the global Girls in ICT event was celebrated in Zimbabwe in coordination and collaboration with Smart Africa and the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ).
ii. The summit’s day-long event covered a variety of topics related to digital skills, including role models, mentorship, education, and youth participation.
iii. The events build onto the ITU’s various initiatives, which not only aim to achieve digital gender equality but also emphasise the value of connectivity and education.
Note:
The main goal of Girls in ICT is to cultivate the presence and digital skills of young women and girls (aged 12-24) in the career field of STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), particularly ICT.
About the International Telecommunication Union (ITU):
The ITU was established in 1865, which formally came into force on 1st January 1949 and recognizes ITU as an UN-specialized agency.
Secretary-General- Doreen Bogdan-Martin
Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland
