International Girls in ICT Day

International Girls in ICT Day History

International Girls in ICT Day seeks to promote the critical need for more girls in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) courses and careers. The observance aims to contribute to the reduction of global gender disparity in this field, believing that increased representation of females in ICT will provide more balance, diversity, and competitiveness in the digital economy. The increasing digitalisation of society demands a workforce skilled in ICT, and the gender gap is restricting this potential.

Established in 2010 by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), International Girls in ICT Day emphasises the commitment to equip young women with the necessary skills for the digital economy. The day is crucial for New Zealand as the local ICT sector continues to expand, contributing significantly to the country's economy. However, it is troubled by a large gender imbalance, with women accounted for only 23% of people working in ICT in New Zealand in 2019. This underrepresentation resonates with the global trend, but the active Observance aims to propel New Zealand towards a more balanced future.

In New Zealand, International Girls in ICT Day is marked with various gatherings, workshops, and presentations at schools, local government offices and private sector institutions. These events aim to inspire girls and young women, offering them opportunities to explore ICT careers, and discover the contributions they can make in this dynamic field. Schools frequently invite successful women in ICT for talks, encouraging females to pursue ICT studies and careers. International Girls in ICT Day is observed on the fourth Thursday of April each year.

Top 6 Facts for 2026 International Girls in ICT Day in NZ

• The official theme for the 2026 observance is AI for Development: Girls Shaping the digital future, a focus that highlights the role of artificial intelligence in bridging the gender gap and providing new pathways for young women in New Zealand’s tech sector.
• Recent industry data indicates that women currently represent only 29 percent of the digital IT workforce in Aotearoa, a statistic that underscores the importance of initiatives designed to encourage more diverse participation in the field.
• A significant local initiative is ShadowTech Day, a programme led by TechWomen that enables over 1,000 secondary school girls from across the country to spend a day in high-tech workplaces to experience real-world career pathways firsthand.
• Research from the report Digital Skills for Tomorrow, Today shows a stark disparity in career aspirations, with less than 1 in 20 New Zealand schoolgirls considering a high-paid career in STEM compared to 1 in 5 boys.
• The gender gap in New Zealand technology education begins well before the workforce, as females currently make up only 40 percent of NCEA technology students and 24 percent of IT graduates.
• Beyond coding and engineering, the 2026 celebrations emphasize that technology roles are increasingly non-linear and inclusive, with AI tools lowering historical barriers to entry and allowing for more creative and values-driven contributions from the next generation of wāhine in tech.

In the News and Trending in NZ for International Girls in ICT Day

Top things to do in NZ for International Girls in ICT Day

• Discover events around you. The International Telecommunication Union hosts events around the world so be sure to check for any upcoming ones.
• Listen to a podcast with the founder of the Women in Science International League Dr. Nisreen El-Hashemite.
• Attend the ShadowTech Day: This is an initiative where female students have the chance to spend a day with a woman in the tech industry. They can learn about the industry and the opportunities available.
• Attend the TechWomen Event: Check out TechWomen's initiatives across the country. They host a variety of workshops, webinars, and networking events that are designed to both inspire girls about the potential of a future in ICT and to provide practical skills and contacts in the industry.