DIGICEL again yesterday took part in ‘Girls in ICT Day’, a global effort spearheaded by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to highlight the need for more women to be actively working in the ICT sector worldwide.In Guyana yesterday, the day was observed by the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) and CARICOM. And for the past three years telecommunications giant Digicel was invited to participate in the calendar of activities in celebration of ‘Girls in ICT Day’, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in April.

Digicel yesterday, along with other organisations and the NFMU, participated in a symposium at Bygeval Secondary School where more than 300 girls were exposed to presentations and interactive sessions by ‘girls in ICT from Digicel.

In addition, each girl present was given a flash drive sponsored by Digicel and the NFMU. “This initiative is one that Digicel will always support, women and technology is important. We are very proud to say that over 50% of our workforce is women. We have a lot of girls in ICT. Not just locally but in all 32 markets in which we operate. This is our 3rd year with partnering with the NFMU and our 2nd year with the CARICOM Secretariat and we look forward to other ventures like this,” Communications Manager Vidya Sanichara said.

WOMEN IN WORKFORCE
In support of concerted global efforts to increase the number of women in technology and women in leadership Digicel, across all its Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific markets, has females accounting for 49% of its workforce, 38% of its management team and more than 27% of its markets have a female CEO.
These statistics also support the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) 2015 survey in which eight Digicel Caribbean markets were ranked in the top 20 best places in the world where your boss is more likely to be a woman.

Kenneth McGrath, CEO Digicel Caribbean and Central America, credits these results to Digicel’s commitment to increasing the number of, and empowering women in technology across all its operations. “As a brand, we recognise that gender equality in technology is a serious issue globally, but Digicel remains committed to playing our part in helping to bridge this gap.”

At the CARICOM Secretariat’s symposium, the feature remarks were given by Deputy Secretary General of CARICOM Ambassador Manorma Soeknandan, Minister of Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes and Minister Nicolette Henry, Minister in the Education Ministry with responsibility for Youth and Culture. Over 300 girls from several schools in and around Georgetown were given prizes from Digicel and the corporate partners for asking and answering questions during the Girls in ICT Forum and Exhibition held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre.

One of the girls, Tambiea Rouse, a student from Bygeval Secondary in an invited comment mentioned to Digicel how she felt about the event held at her school:“Today I learnt a lot about ICT; it was a great experience for me and I won a phone and also received a flash drive from Digicel. I thought today would be very boring but I’m really glad I came, I had so much fun and I think after today I will pursue a career in ICT.” Events like these give girls and young women the opportunity to become inspired about ICT sector by listening to women role models in ICT. Digicel Guyana is proud to be part of this initiative and pledges its continued support to Girls in ICT through the National Frequency Management Unit and The CARICOM Secretariat. (Michelle Outridge)