Girls in ICT Day Celebrated

Posted by Breggie Hoffman on 19 July 2022, 10:25 SAST

Girls in ICT Day aims to encourage and empower girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing ICT sector, enabling both girls and technology companies to reap the benefits of greater female participation in the sector. This however, is not as simple as it sounds.

The digital divide in townships is alive and well. Access to technology in many schools is limited and whilst the uptake and use of smartphones in households is high, the general lack of devices (computers and tablets) and access to data is a reality and a limiting factor.  

Today, digital literacy is probably as important as traditional literacy and sadly, with digital poverty being so rife in the space that we work, we see young people, and especially girls and young women with limited or no digital skills and a very narrow view of the world and their choices or options. How can you even begin to dream of a career in a sector when that you don’t even know exists? Add to this an education system that is not teaching young people to think critically or creatively and it becomes a further barrier for opportunities in a 21st century, digital world. 

In addition, we know that technology is a great enabler to address social challenges and achieve social impact. Technology can also be a powerful tool for girls, giving them a voice, and allowing them to become digital activists, agents of change and more self-confident citizens

For girls and young women to flourish and thrive, we need to harness the power of technology. This means we need to give them access to devices and data, facilitate digital literacy, provide information and support and thereby connect them to the digital world and the opportunities it offers. When girls can safely access and explore the digital world, they can start to imagine STEM and ICT careers and futures in technology for themselves. 

We will be far closer to achieving digital gender equality when access to the world of possibilities has enabled disadvantaged girls and young women to dream big, create digital tools, solve problems using technology, develop online content, amplify their voices, connect to like-minded girls and young women in other places and contexts and ultimately move out of poverty into economic inclusion and thriving and resilient livelihoods.