*The Nigerian Communications Commission joins the global Information and Communcations Technology community in wishing all girls a Happy International Girls in ICT Day April 25, 2024, stating the day is set aside 鈥榯o underscore the critical need for strong female role models in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

As the world marks the 2024 International Girls in ICT Day, the Management and Staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) join the global Information and Communcations Technology community in wishing all girls a Happy International Girls in ICT Day!

绿帽献妻 reports the International Girls in ICT Day is celebrated every year on the last聽 Thursday of April, and this year, the day falls Thirsday, April 25, 2024.

The theme for the Girls in ICT Day celebrations is 鈥淟eadership鈥�.

The Nigerian telecoms sector regulatory Commission noted the day is set aside 鈥渢o underscore the critical need for strong female role models in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers.鈥�

Likewise in the global organisation’s message to all Girls in ICT on the day, Doreen Bogdan-Martin,聽 Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), based in Geneva, Switzerland, observed although women now fill 40 percent of high-skill occupations globally, their participation in ICT-related fields 鈥渃ontinues to be low.鈥�

Bogdan-Martin said: 鈥淲omen are nearly absent from software development, engineering, technology research, academia as well as at the highest levels of policy making.

鈥淭hey also tend to leave science and technology jobs at higher rates than men.鈥�

The ITU further asserted while there is a leadership gender gap in every industry, the largest gaps are found in the STEM fields.

鈥淲omen in ICT often find themselves in junior or support roles rather than in managerial roles, with little opportunity for advancement.

鈥淭hey are also less likely to hold an executive position, become ICT entrepreneurs, or be represented among science and technology policymakers,鈥� noted the Secretary-General.

However, to thrive in STEM, Bogdan-Martin also said that 鈥済irls and young women must be exposed to women in leadership positions, fostering inspiration and breaking down barriers that hinder their progress.鈥�

The Girls in ICT Day 2024 theme aims to address these challenges, encouraging empowerment and leadership development for a more equitable future in STEM, the Union said.

The Secretary-General of ITU added: 鈥淲e can all help defy the stereotypes and biases that continue to prevent women and girls from pursuing careers in Information and Communications Technology.鈥�

Kindly Share This Story