International Day of Girls in ICT: Why It Is Crucial to Include Girls in Technology

Every year, on the fourth Thursday of April, we celebrate International Girls in ICT Day. This is a global initiative that encourages girls and young women to explore opportunities in the world of technology. This year, it will be marked on 23 April, under the theme “Artificial Intelligence for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future”, highlighting the role of girls in co-creating the digital future.

The initiative, led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), emphasises an important fact: despite the rapid development of digital technologies, women are still not equally represented in the technology sector.

Numbers that speak for themselves

Since the initiative began in 2011, more than 417,000 girls and young women have participated in over 11,590 events across 175 countries. These figures demonstrate the global reach of the initiative, while also highlighting that the need to encourage girls’ participation in technology remains significant.

Today, the technology sector is one of the key drivers of societal and economic development. However, women are still underrepresented in this field. Studies show that girls are often less represented in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), which also influences their future career paths.

Why is it important to include girls in ICT?

Digital skills are the foundation for many future professions, from artificial intelligence and programming to data analytics and digital solution development. Encouraging girls to enter these fields contributes to:

Greater equality and diversity in the technology sector
More innovation and new ideas
Increased opportunities for women’s economic independence
The development of a more inclusive digital society

An important part of the initiative is also breaking stereotypes that technology is “not for girls” and showcasing diverse career paths and opportunities within the ICT sector.

Inspiration, knowledge, and opportunities

Every year, International Girls in ICT Day includes a wide range of activities such as workshops, mentoring programmes, career presentations, and meetings with role models from the tech world. The aim of these activities is to empower girls, boost their confidence, and encourage them to explore careers in technology.

On this occasion, we are also preparing a special online event on 23 April for girls and young women considering a career in ICT: Webinar on International Girls in ICT Day: Girls in ICT Vol. 3