Girls urged to take lead in ICT sector as stakeholders mark Girls in ICT Day 2026
Date: 2026-05-19
By: Kanto Kai Okanta
Stakeholders
have called for stronger efforts to empower young women and girls to actively
participate in the digital economy and take up leadership roles in the
technology sector, as Girls in ICT Day 2026 was commemorated.
Speaking
at the event, Eswatini Minister of ICT and Executive Chair, Member of C200,
Savannah Maziya, emphasized the importance of equipping girls with the skills
and opportunities needed to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
She
noted that technology has become a critical driver of transformation,
inclusion, and economic empowerment, stressing that young women must move
beyond being consumers of technology to becoming innovators, creators, and
leaders within the sector.
Maziya
urged stakeholders to work collectively to ensure that no girl is left behind
in the digital era, highlighting the need to break barriers, challenge
stereotypes, and expand access to opportunities in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics.
She
encouraged young girls aspiring to careers in software development,
engineering, cybersecurity, digital entrepreneurship, and innovation, assuring
them that their aspirations are valid and their participation in the ICT sector
is essential for shaping the future of the digital economy.
The
commemoration of Girls in ICT Day 2026 forms part of global efforts to promote
gender inclusion and close the digital gender gap by encouraging increased
participation of women and girls in technology-driven fields.
