UNICC Promotes Gender Parity in ICT

UNICC is co-sponsoring an event with ITU, UNICEF and others.

UNICC has helped to organize and will participate in several Girls in ICT Day events, in New York and Geneva. International Girls in ICT Day, a day recognized around the world, is held every fourth Thursday in April to support the creation of a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women, as well as boys and young men, to consider careers in the growing field of information and communication technologies (ICTs).

The event will also help to enable girls, technology companies, economies and societies to have the benefits of greater female participation in a more inclusive ICT sector. This year’s day also coincides with World Intellectual Property Day with the 2018 theme of “Powering Change: Women in Innovation and Creativity”.

New York

On 25th April, 2018, ITU, UNICC, UNICEF, WIPO, UN Women, Build n Blaze and the New York City Mayor’s Office will participate in and collaborate to mark the International Girls in ICT Day iat the Microsoft Technology Center in New York.

The event brings 20 young women and young men from Brooklyn Science and Engineering Academy and 20 women technologists from United Nations organizations, NGOs, the private sector and academia to meet and get inspired by each other, engage in a group discussion on the themes behind the event, and participated in fun get-to-know-you activities together.

There will be introductions and discussion before some one-on-one activities. Current and future professionals in the ICT sector have the opportunity to share issues and concerns around Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) and as to pursuing career paths in the ICT sector – with ways and means to manage to overcome obstacles.

After the break, students will work with women technologists and continued one-on-one activities, with women technologists sharing their experiences, knowledge and vital information acquired while they have been in the ICT sector to inspire students in working in the ICT sector. After this, the group will re-convene to share experiences and find some common ground and understanding.

This year’s International Girls in ICT Day will draw on best practices, lessons and approaches that may attract more girls and young women into the ICT sector. The event may prove to be an best effective way to increase awareness and advocacy for girls and young women in the ICT sector at all levels of the profession. As a female role models in tech, participating women technologists will help students to be aware of the array of tech jobs available and the different pathways into the ICT sector and increase interest to studies in area, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM).

Geneva

The Geneva Girls in ICT Day 2018 event takes place on 26 April 2018 at ITU HQ in Geneva. The celebrations will see the participation of local schools and organizations for a half-day event aimed at encouraging girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of ICTs, while at the same time highlighting the importance of digital skills to pursue successful professional careers across sectors.

The event will include a ‘speed mentoring’ session that brings women technologists together with young women interested in ICT careers. Prado Nieto, Chief Customer Relationship Management and Soledad Torrero, Enterprise Systems Administrator, People Soft Unit (OPEP) will be there and represent UNICC.

During the mentoring session the girls will have the opportunity to talk to successful female role models from the ICT sector, ask them questions on their experience and learn more about the opportunities different ICT related careers could offer them. The female role models have been selected from different fields, backgrounds and professional paths, in order to provide participating girls with the opportunity to explore a wide range of possible career opportunities and make them understand the variety of possible ICT related studies and careers.

ITU’s International Girls in ICT Day

So far, International Girls in ICT Day has brought over 300,000 girls and young women. More than 9,000 celebrations of the event were held in 166 countries worldwide involving Government Ministries of ICT, Education, Labour, Youth, National ICT Regulatory Authorities, ICT companies, academic institutions, UN agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders.

UNICC is proud to support these imperatives for young women and look forward to joining forces on International Girls in ICT Day in the years to come.

If you are interested in participating please reach out to William Allen ([email protected]).