Philippines hosts global Girls in ICT Day celebration

MANILA, PHILIPPINES. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) of the United Nations has partnered with the Philippines’ Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to bring the global celebration of the Girls in ICT Day to the country, marking the first time the annual commemoration’s main event is being hosted in Asia.

With the theme of “Leadership,” the Girls in ICT Day celebration for 2024 focuses on empowering both current and future generations of girls and women in the ICT sector.

This year’s banner event held on 25 April at the Far Eastern University in Manila brings together students and women experts and leaders in ICT for an inter-generational dialogue to inspire and encourage girls to pursue careers in ICT. 

The celebration, which has been held on the fourth Thursday of April since 2011, is the cornerstone of a continuing advocacy to address the critical underrepresentation of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“While inequality exists in every industry, this gap is most pronounced in STEM fields, where less than one-third of STEM roles globally are held by women,” said Dr. Cosmas Zavazava, Director of the ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau.

He added, “One of the main reasons for this gender divide is the lack of encouragement and mentorship to empower girls and young women to pursue leadership roles and develop the necessary skills and networks to successfully achieve their objectives.”

UN Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez meanwhile highlighted the gender disparity in science education and employment among Filipinos.

“Close to half of science students in the Philippines are women, making the country a global leader. Yet, when it comes to jobs in science, including ICT, men still dominate,” he said, adding, “On Girls in ICT Day, let’s commit to supporting women who study and work in science.”

Gonzalez added that the event will inform the ongoing preparations for the UN Summit of the Future to be held in New York in September later this year.

The whole day event features messages from the DICT, as well as women and girl leaders, including video addresses from UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, H.R.H. Princess Beatrice of the United Kingdom, United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, among others.

Representatives from science and technology organizations from across the globe also led panel discussions and mentorship sessions with students to share insights, reflections and strategies on leadership in ICT. 

Among the topics covered are artificial intelligence and data analytics, blockchain, cybersecurity, digital creatives, robotics, digital arts, the internet of things, and digital careers in the gig economy.