International Girls in ICT Day widely celebrated in Azerbaijan

The entire international community celebrates the International Girls in ICT Day every year on the fourth Thursday of April. This day was established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the specialized agency of the United Nations in the field of ICT.

The international event held this year under the overall theme "Expand Horizons, Change Attitudes" is traditionally widely celebrated in Azerbaijan.

To support the enhancement of the role of women in the field of ICT, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies has today held a number of events in this connection.

Within the framework of these measures, an event was organized in the E-Government Education and Training Center of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies, and jointly with education and training centers in regions (in Shamakhy, Ganja, Mingachevir, Lankaran, Barda and Gabala) via video conference on April 26, 2018.

Schoolgirls from high schools and teachers of computer science in the education and training centers in Baku and regions joined the conference as listeners via video conference.

Representatives of the Ministries of Transport, Communications and High Technologies, Education and Culture, High-Tech Park LLC, Data Processing Center, Women’s Clubs Femmes Digitales and WoWoman, legal entity of public law ABAD, Public Association "Development Support and Education of Women" delivered speeches at the event.

It was noted that relevant events are being organized by schools, youth groups, civil organizations and government agencies on the occasion of this significant event worldwide. Over the last years, the activities held under the Girls in ICT Day have significantly expanded their scope, turning from one-day events into global and permanent programs designed to teach girls how to work with ICT throughout the year.

It was stressed that ICT is a key factor in ensuring gender equality and empowering women. With access to these technologies, girls and women can easily take advantage of the opportunities to create new jobs and develop entrepreneurship activities.

Moreover, women startuppers organized a seminar today in High Tech Park LLC for girls receiving education in the specialty of Information Technologies at Azerbaijan State University of Oil and Industry, Baku Engineering University, and Azerbaijan Technical University.

Speaking at the event, representatives of the Ministries of Transport, Communications and High Technologies, Education, Culture and High-Tech Park noted that the Girls in ICT Day highlights the importance of women in the field of ICT and encourages girls and young women to choose a profession in the field of technology.

It was pointed out that the Girls in ICT Day is a global initiative aimed at contributing to bridge the digital divide by encouraging girls and young women to choose the direction and profession in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Successful women startuppers of our country Mia Aliyeva, Mirvari Mehdiyeva and Nigar Gasimova shared their experience on such topics as "Creating and selling games", "How to connect to the global online market?", "Women in the analysis of BIG Data".