Ethiopia: Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders: Highlights from the Girls in ICT Leadership Day Celebration

The Girls in ICT Leadership Day Celebration held on April 25, 2024, at Cathedral Girls School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was a collaborative effort spearheaded by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and supported by the Global Network of Digital Agriculture Innovation Hubs in Ethiopia (DAIH). The event served as a platform to promote and inspire young girls to pursue leadership roles in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, fostering dialogue, collaboration, and empowerment.

The day's activities commenced with a panel discussion on leadership in the ICT sector, where mentors shared their insights, challenges, and successes, aiming to inspire and motivate the next generation of female leaders. This was followed by a showcase of activities by the ITU Academy, featuring sessions on human rights, programming, cybersecurity, and more, providing participants with valuable technical and soft skills essential for leadership roles in the ICT field.

The event also facilitated an intergenerational dialogue, allowing participants to engage in discussions about the opportunities and challenges in ICT leadership. The DAIH Ethiopia actively contributed to the celebration by sharing knowledge and experiences of successful young innovators during the intergenerational dialogue session. Through these interactions, participants gained insights into the dynamics of the ICT sector and learned from the experiences of both seasoned professionals and emerging leaders.

The Girls in ICT Leadership Day Celebration was a success, providing a platform for inspiring and empowering young girls to pursue leadership roles in the ICT sector. Participants were equipped with technical skills, soft skills, and a positive mindset, fostering the development of a diverse and inclusive ICT workforce capable of driving innovation and sustainable development.

Looking ahead, the girls recommended for future events the incorporation of practical workshops and mentorship programs, and expansion of outreach efforts to reach a broader audience, ensuring inclusivity and diversity in participation. Together, let us continue to work towards a future where all girls have equal opportunities to thrive and lead in the digital age.