April 24, 2014

International Girls in ICT Day, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of April every year, is an initiative backed by ITU Member States to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing field of information and communication technologies (ICTs).

This year’s Girls in ICT Day is celebrated on April 24th, 2014. Various events will be planned in more than 120 countries and will raise awareness among girls and young women, teachers and career advisers of the excellent job prospects in the ICT sector, thereby empowering girls and young women worldwide. This event’s objective is to reach out to and involve more girls and young women in ICT careers and encourage ICT companies to recruit, retain and promote women.

Some statistics, published for the 2012/2013 university year by the Center for Educational Research and Development at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Lebanon, are worth mentioning:

Percentage of girls and boys enrolled in Universities: 46% Male and 54% Female

Number of girls and boys in ICT majors in the Lebanese university
Electronic engineering: 90 M, 17 F
Computer engineering:277M, 110 F

Number of girls and boys in ICT majors in private universities
Computer engineering:282M, 76 F
ICT: 591M, 130F

The TRA has taken the challenge to spread awareness in Lebanon and work hand in hand with various stakeholders to promote the participation of girls and women in the ICT and telecommunications industry, which offers tremendous opportunities, by inviting institutions from the public and private sector to take part in this initiative anytime during this year. So far, many institutions have shown interest in the project.

More information about International Girls in ICT Day can be obtained at www.girlsinict.org.