Girls in ICT Day is an initiative launched by members of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) at its 2010 Plenipotentiary Conference, with the idea of creating a global environment that will empower and encourage girls and young women to consider careers in the field of information and communication technologies (ICTs).

This action was necessary since it was observed that employment in the ICT sector, worldwide, was and still is dominated by males. This most likely is why the theme for 2013 is ‘Expanding Boundaries, Changing Attitudes’. Once we all embrace this theme, there will be a positive impact in terms of improving gender equality and empowerment of females in our society.
The Government of Guyana, through such initiatives as the E-Gov, One Laptop per Family and Computer Labs for Schools Projects, as well as the private sector, are making significant investments in ICTs, thereby building the foundation upon which our female citizens can expand their boundaries. It is important that both males and females recognize that involvement in the ICT sector is not meant for males only. The sooner, the better, for all Guyana.
By choosing careers in the ICT sector, females would also be embarking on rewarding careers, as this sector has been rapidly expanding over the years and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. This is so because ICTs are as essential to our lives and development as electricity is. As an ICT professional, one is not necessarily limited to an office or cubicle at the workplace, or even working for a locally based office. Broadband communications and the Internet are making it easier for professionals to work from home and for overseas based clients as well.
A career in the ICT sector does not necessarily have to be in the science and technology disciplines; it could be in the areas of Law, Marketing, Administration and Finance etc. Notwithstanding this, there is a need for more of our students to take science and technology subjects at school, as it has been expressed by experts that there is a linkage between science and technology practitioners and a country’s development.
According to the Ministry of Education, in its Strategic Plan 2008-2013, the number of students that take science and technology subjects at school is very small.
This is a global problem. In fact, the ITU has honed in on this reality and has recognized that girls traditionally do not choose the sciences and technology disciplines at school. As a result of this, they have launched a campaign ‘Tech needs Girls’. Accordingly, we need to also promote the ‘Tech needs Girls’ message along with the Girls in ICT campaign.
Guyana’s observance of Girls In ICT Day 2013 is centered around a Symposium and mini Job Fair which are being hosted at the Guyana International Conference Centre today. Over three hundred female secondary school students are expected to attend this event to listen to mostly female ICT professionals speak about their experiences and expectations working in the ICT sector. They will also speak about the many and growing prospects in the ICT sector. The students will have opportunities to have interactive sessions with the presenters.
Several private sector companies are on board and will showcase their ICT products and services and speak about job opportunities at their agencies.
In addition to the above, a facebook page is expected to be launched to keep females engaged in the process throughout the year. It is also expected to provide links for training, feature female ICT professionals and provide valuable information about child online safety and cybersecurity, among other things.
As we celebrate Girls in ICT Day 2013 today and seek to Expand Boundaries and Change Attitudes, for the benefit of our females and indeed the entire society, we take this opportunity to wish all females everywhere, an informative and insightful Girls in ICT Day 2013.

Valmikki Singh
Managing Director