BY: VALERIE ANN DISMAYA

In the age of robotics, artificial intelligence, and coding, women are making strides in the tech world, and there’s a global day to recognize their efforts.

Every fourth Thursday of April, the world celebrates International Girls in ICT Day.

The day aims to encourage young girls to explore careers in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), a field often perceived as male-dominated.

Many still hear phrases like “That’s just for boys” when discussing computer classes or tech careers, but initiatives like this aim to change that.

Launched in 2010 by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency, International Girls in ICT Day responds to data showing the low participation of women in the industry.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and ITU, only 30% of the ICT workforce worldwide are women.

In the Philippines, the ICT sector reached a market value of 24.51 billion US dollars in 2024 and is expected to grow by 5.5 million jobs from 2024 to 2031.

This growth opens up thousands of opportunities for women to enter and thrive in the field.

Government agencies like the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), along with organizations such as UNESCO and Women in Tech PH, are holding tech fairs, workshops, and seminars to inspire female students.

These events allow girls to showcase their skills in programming, graphic design, cybersecurity, and other tech-related fields.

Beyond celebrating achievements, International Girls in ICT Day promotes the message that intelligence and ability are not defined by gender.

Because yes, tech is for girls too!