The Girls in ICT provides a platform for organizations throughout the world to host events intended to give girls and young women an opportunity to see and experience information and communication technologies (ICT) in a positively different perspective that will motivate girls to develop interest as well encourage them to pursue studies in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). To date, over 111,000 girls and young women have taken part in more than 3,500 events held in 140 countries around the world.

April 23, this year, marked the Girls in ICT Day. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) hosted a special event at ICT Discovery, a museum dedicated to the history of telecommunications at ITU Headquarters in Geneva. Participants were invited to attend workshops on satellites, creative coding, mobile apps and robotics. This was be followed by a Career Fair/ Mentoring section, where attendees had a chance to meet with female ICT professionals and learn about relevant study programmes and job opportunities in the sector.

Adaeze Muonyelu, a young woman member of Oraifite branch of YWCA of Nigeria who joined girls from YWCAs in other countries as part of the World YWCA delegation shares that “The experience was transformational and will live with me for the rest of my life. I am looking forward to sharing this wonderful experience with other girls and encourage those whose hearts are ICT inclined to pursue their dreams, because ICT is now and the future.”

A variety of events were lined up some of which include – Inspirational talks given by ICT role models from the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Internet Society, Cisco, Google, Graduate Institute, Rails Girls Leman/Colazione da Tiffany, and ITU Telecom World Young Innovators Competition.