Department of Gender Affairs & FLOW TCI partners for International Girls in ICT Day

Four women recognised for their contributions to the ICT sector

The Department of Gender Affairs within the Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture, Library and Social Services in partnership with FLOW will join the rest of the world on Thursday, April 23, 2020 in celebration of International Girls in ICT day under the theme “Expanding Horizons, Changing Attitudes.”

This is a global initiative of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).   The day is set aside to raise awareness on empowering and encouraging girls and young women to consider studies and careers in Information Communication Technologies (ICTs).   The lack of women and girls participating in ICT studies is reflected in the public and private sector throughout the Turks and Caicos Island and world alike.

Acting Country Manager, Flow Turks and Caicos, Joanne Missick shares: “ICT is central to the world we live in today and women have always been at the helm of technological advancement. Today we join in celebrating their accomplishments.”

International Girls in ICT Day, since 2011, has been celebrated in 150 countries around the world with more than 5,300 events with participation from over 177,000 girls and young women.  Each year, the fourth Thursday of every April is committed to celebrating and commemorating the Girls in ICT Day.

In keeping with the United Nations Sustainable Development (SDGs)  Goal 5, which is to achieve Gender equality by supporting women and girls in education.  We believe that it is time to consolidate good practices and focus on action and results, in paving the way, by uplifting, cultivating, fostering and empowering women and girls through technology.  This will be done by highlighting female role models and mentors in the ICT profession who have advance their respective organizations in this discipline.

As customary, the day is usually observed as an open day event through various platforms, however, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented a radical challenge, and in keeping with the Ministry of Health social distance policy, we have decided to host a virtual event that will showcase women in the ICT profession.

We remain true to our mission of improving the quality of life within our communities and enhancing educational and economic opportunities for all.

The day will include pre-recorded videos of four, brilliant and beautiful young women   within the ICT sector in the Turks and Caicos Islands, who have volunteered their services and will showcase their work and career opportunities available through the usage of ICT.   The presentation will also aspire and motivate young women and girls to pursue career opportunities in the technical field. 

The videos will be uploaded on Turks and Caicos Islands Department of Gender Affairs and Flow Facebook and other media platforms on April 23, 2020.

Additionally, Flow will join us in recognizing each of these women and their accomplishments via their social media pages and through a broadcast message with the links to join in the celebration.

We invite you to join us on Thursday, April 23, commencing at 3:30 via our Facebook page as we Celebrate our second Annual Girls in ICT day. 

The hashtag #GirlsInICT will be used for that day.

ENDS