On Thursday April 23rd countries across the globe, including Dominica, observed Girls in ICT Day 2015.
This observance was declared by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the primary body of the United Nations for telecommunications in ICT.
The aim is that every year at this time the entire world will celebrate the invaluable contribution and achievement which girls are making in ICT advancement universally.
Minister for Information, Science, Telecommunications and Technology the Hon. Kelver Darroux says that the view of girls in ICT has changed significantly over the past years.
“One of the fundamental changes which is being seen is the attitude of women and girls to ICT training and skills. We now see increased figures representing women doing ICT courses. This is significant simply because we are now seeing greater interest by young women...I believe that moving forward, we’ll continue to see more women interested; it’s all over [the world] and we have to encourage our girls and young women to take advantage of the available opportunities.”
He noted that his Ministry has put a two-year plan in place for the development of girls’ interest in the ICT sector. This plan targets rural communities.
“We’re looking to establish some of the tele-centres and I believe that the young women in these communities should look forward to the training opportunities which will be provided. We’re also looking to work closely with the Ministry of education at the schools to ensure that every student will also take advantage…Through the Ministry as well we will have additional training offered locally and overseas. We are hoping to target some of our women who have a keen interest and are ICT savvy.”
Minster Darroux says that in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, provisions are being made to further the education of women in ICT fields.