The International Girls in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Day is observed annually on the fourth Thursday of April to celebrate the empowerment of young women and girls in ICT careers. This year’s theme “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation”, emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all girls and young women, regardless of their background, location, or socio-economic status, have equal access to opportunities in the digital world. To mark this special day, Graduate Women International (GWI) released an insightful infographic that underlines the need for a more inclusive digital transformation.

International Girls in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Day is an initiative backed by the United Nations (UN) International Telecommunication Union (ITU) member states. Officially created in 2014, International Girls in ICT Day is commemorated on the fourth Thursday of April every year. It underscores the urgency of addressing inequalities, particularly in education and digital access, to build a more diverse and inclusive digital future.

According to UNESCO, women are significantly underrepresented in ICT. In many regions, fewer girls choose Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and ICT-related subjects in school and higher education, limiting their future access to the sector. Only 30% of tech science and technology professionals are women and there are around 25% of female students in computer science and ICT courses.

Through various projects under the Bina Roy Partners in Development program, GWI has been encouraging girls and young women to pursue science related careers in Ghana. In partnership with the Ghana Association of University Women (GAUW), GWI initiated the project “Girls Science Lab” in the city of Cape Coast and “Harnessing Girls’ Potential in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)” in selected high schools within Ghana’s Central Region. Hundreds of young girls have benefited from these projects. More recently, in El Salvador, the project “Artificial Intelligence to Boost your Professional Career”, operated by the Association of University Women of El Salvador (AMUS), was launched. This project aims to train Salvadoran women in the use of Artificial Intelligence, fostering their inclusion in the technology sector and enhancing their competitiveness in the job market.