The international Girls in ICT Day is an impactful event aimed at increasing awareness and igniting a passion for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among girls. By promoting ICT among girls, this initiative seeks to expand the participation of girls in the ICT sector, create empowerment opportunities, and contribute to achieving greater gender diversity and equality in the workforce, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5.
The IBI Foundation has commigrated the INTERNATIONAL GIRLS-IN-ICT DAY event every year since 2016. This event has served as a platform to inspire and engage more girls in ICT, with over 5,000 girls from various schools in 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) participating in the initiative.
Through these efforts, the Girls in ICT initiative is fostering a generation of young women who are equipped with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the digital age. By encouraging girls to pursue careers in ICT and providing them with access to opportunities in the sector, the initiative is not only empowering individual girls but also contributing to the broader goal of promoting gender equality and diversity in the field.
The ongoing success of the Girls in ICT initiative underscores the commitment of the IBI Foundation to creating a more inclusive and diverse ICT sector while providing girls with the tools they need to succeed in a technology-driven world. Through initiatives like these, the foundation is playing a vital role in shaping the future of gender equality and empowerment in the ICT industry.
The GICT day event was held in the FCT in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 in collaboration with partnerships with Media Range, Veritrax Solutions, IBI Centre and NITDA. Secondary school’s girls were invited from both private and public schools to the attend. Female resource persons were invited to inspire and motivate the young girls. In 2020 the GICT Day did not hold because of the COVID-19 lockdown.
In 2021, the Girls in ICT Day event was held in collaboration with other partners on a global effort to raise awareness and inspire girls to consider pursuing studies and careers in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). This groundbreaking initiative spanned across 20 locations in 20 states of the Federation reaching out to girls from diverse backgrounds and communities to emphasize the importance of ICT education and opportunities for girls.
Through a series of engaging events, workshops, and informative sessions held in these 20 locations, the Girls in ICT initiative aimed to inspire and empower girls to explore the limitless possibilities within the field of ICT. By highlighting the significance of ICT skills and knowledge in today's digital world, the initiative sought to encourage more girls to actively participate in this dynamic and innovative sector. In 2022 the GICT day event was held in 3 states in Adamawa, FCT and Kogi. In 2023 it was held in 2 locations in Adamawa state (Song and Yola South).
The impact of the Girls in ICT global effort was far-reaching, as it instilled a sense of curiosity, ambition, and confidence in girls, motivating them to consider ICT as a viable and rewarding path for their future studies and careers. By breaking down traditional gender barriers and promoting inclusivity in the ICT field, the initiative paved the way for girls to access equal opportunities and contribute to the digital transformation of society.
At the IBI Foundation, we are proud to lead the charge in empowering girls through initiatives like Girls in ICT, and we remain
dedicated to fostering a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable future in the field of Information and Communication Technology. Join us in celebrating the potential and talent of girls in ICT and unlocking a world of opportunities for the next generation of women in technology.