UNRC Remarks on Girls in ICT Day Pacific 2023

Bula vinaka 

I am very glad to join the Pacific Girls in Information and Communication Technologies Day ceremony today as we take stock of what we have achieved since its launch on 27th April 2023 and what we can do together to scale it out going forward. 

Please allow me to thank the International Telecommunication Union, the Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association, and the Pacific Telecommunications Council for inviting me today. 

Girls are often underrepresented in Information and Communication Technologies fields. In order to provide effective solutions, we first need to understand the root of the problem. Gender roles and stereotypes still have an impact on the lives of girls, boys, and young people all over the world and the Pacific region is no exception.  

In instances where families share a single digital device, it is common for fathers or sons to have exclusive access, rather than women or daughters. This is largely attributed to cultural norms and beliefs, whereby providing women with access to technology is seen as a potential threat to patriarchal societal structures. Additionally, there is a prevalent belief that women require protection, and that online content may pose risks to their safety. Consequently, girls and women who request mobile phones or other digital devices may encounter suspicion and opposition. 

As a result of this role segregation, girls and younger women are often constrained in accessing the internet: by the high cost of the internet, by lack of time due to having to attend to traditional care-giving roles, or because they do not feel safe, among other reasons.  

Furthermore, if women are unable to access the Internet and do not feel safe online, they are unable to develop the necessary digital skills and engage in digital spaces, which diminishes their opportunities to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics related fields.  Worldwide only 30 per cent of tech science and technology professionals are women.  

Encouraging girls to pursue careers in Information and Communication Technologies field is not just about promoting gender equality, but it also makes good economic sense. Women bring a unique perspective and set of skills to the tech industry, which can drive innovation and lead to new opportunities for growth and development. Increasing women's participation in STEM can close the gender pay gap and boost women's earnings.  

Empowering girls and young women in the field of STEM education and digital skills is aligned with UN Secretary General’s and is one of the targets of the 2030 Agenda. This also forms an important part of UN’s commitment to the Pacific as part of the Pacific United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027.  

From the United Nations we propose some recommendations to advance the inclusion of girls in ICT: 

First, the Pacific Island Countries governments have to create enabling environments to increase girls' and women's access to ICTs. This means having policies and programmes that include specific measures to attract female talent, make women in ICTs visible and valued, and initiate and collaborate with others. And ensure access in terms of resources and that internet access costs are affordable for all. 

Second, girls who are interested in ICT should be provided with opportunities to develop their skills and learn about the latest technologies. This event and this training programmes will provide girls with opportunities to develop their skills and learn about the latest technologies. 

I am delighted to see that a number of digital skills related trainings have been conducted since the launch of the program in Tonga and Fiji in April 2023 this year and I look forward to taking it forward in other countries under the Fiji MCO going forward. 

I encourage all of us to support the Girls in ICT initiative, and to help inspire and empower the next generation of female leaders in the ICT field. Let us work together to create a future where gender equality is a reality. 

Thank you!  

Vinaka