Day celebrated to empower women and girls in ICT

BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

THE IT Society of Solomon Islands and its affiliated Women in IT Solomon Islands have held a one-day ‘Girls in ICT’ conference which involved students from primary and secondary schools.

The event coincided with the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) International Girls in ICT Day which registered a great opportunity for students to learn from ICT professionals – regionally and nationally.

Group photo of the IT Society of Solomon Islands and its affiliated Women in IT Solomon Islands during the event celebration at Mendana Hotel on Thursday

Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Communication and Aviation, Mr Moses Virivolomo said such celebration marked pressing needs for girls and women’s participation in the ICT society of Solomon Islands.

He said ITU as the leading United Nations agency for Telecommunication and ICT seeks to encourage gender balance in the ICT sector at all levels of profession.

Virivolomo also adds ICT companies are looking to attract and promote women because achieving greater workforce diversity is good for business.

Students sitting for the Girls in ICT conference to commemorate the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU)
International Girls in ICT Day.

He said supporting education of women and girls in the ICT sector contributes to UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5; aimed at achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls in information and communication technologies.

“Not only are jobs in ICT sector lifting women out of poverty, a more gender-balanced sector offers fulfilling mid and high-level careers, and enables highly talented women to springboard to top of career ladder,” Virivolomo said.

(Left to Right) PS for MCA Moses Virivolomo, PS for MEHRD James Bosamata and Mrs Christina Bakolo Misibini, Coordinator International Education Programme.

Permanent Secretary for Education and Human Resource Development, Mr James Bosamata said his Ministry realises ICT has important values to enhance and improve quality of teaching and learning in classroom.

Bosamata said under MEHRD national action plan (2016—2020) they have engaged a number of educational reforms that will target increased capacity to absorb students at all level of basic education.

He said digitising the curriculum materials for year-seven to nine is progressing well which falls in line with furnishing of identified schools with ICT hardware with support from donors.

Students who part of the International Girls in ICT Day

“Ministry of Education supports such initiative that encouraged students especially girls to be informed about Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM),” Bosamata said.

Yesterday’s event is recorded as first time for Solomon Islands to join member states of ITU globally.

The event as hosted with an aim to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing ICT field.

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