International Girls in ICT Day

International Girls in ICT Day History

International Girls in ICT Day aims to inspire and empower young women to consider careers in the information and communications technology (ICT) field. Championed by the United Nations' International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the event promotes the importance of digital skills and gender equality in the tech industry. It encourages governments, educational institutions and private organisations to establish educational and awareness campaigns to change societal attitudes and gender stereotypes that prevent young women from pursuing careers in this sector.

The observance of International Girls in ICT Day began in 2010, with its relevance being recognised worldwide, including in Australia. Aussie girls and young women are highly encouraged to take part in activities that expose them to ICT, a field traditionally dominated by males. The event serves as an opportunity to acknowledge and address the gender digital divide in the country while highlighting the significance of creating an inclusive digital future. Australian organisations such as the Australian Computer Society and Girl Geek Academy often invigorate events and workshops to stimulate interest and foster talent among girls in ICT.

In Australia, International Girls in ICT Day is commemorated annually. Observance includes a range of activities: engaging panel discussions, digital literacy workshops, coding marathons, and educational events. These activities are designed to foster learning, increase female student enrolment in ICT courses, and provide networking opportunities with women professionals in the ICT industry. International Girls in ICT Day typically falls on the fourth Thursday in April.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 International Girls in ICT Day in Australia

• The 2026 International Girls in ICT Day will be observed globally on April 23 under the central theme AI for Development: Girls Shaping the digital future, a focus that highlights the critical role of young women in steering the ethics and innovation of artificial intelligence.
• Throughout Australia, the ACS Foundation will host its extensive BiG Day In event series in cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, providing thousands of high school students with direct access to industry leaders from organizations like Adobe, WiseTech Global, and the Australian Defence Force.
• Education initiatives such as the ICT Gateway to Industry Schools Project in Queensland are expected to drive significant engagement by connecting students with mentors and hands-on workshops designed to bridge the gender gap in the domestic tech workforce.
• Recent data from the Digital Pulse report reveals that women currently make up only 30% of the Australian technology sector, fueling increased interest in scholarship programs and dedicated networking groups such as Her Tech Circle and Women in STEMM Australia.
• For younger enthusiasts, Girl Geek Academy continues to expand its reach with programs like MissMakesCode, which is recognized as the world’s first hackathon specifically designed for girls aged five to eight to build foundational algorithmic thinking.
• The Australian Government's ongoing commitment to regional digital inclusion is frequently showcased through the AUD $350 million investment in the Tuvalu Vaka Cable and other Pacific connectivity projects, which aim to provide transformative educational and economic opportunities for girls across the region.
• The 2026 global celebration, coordinated by the International Telecommunication Union, will feature a high-profile live link between Tirana, Albania, and Brasília, Brazil, as part of a worldwide effort to inspire a new generation of female digital leaders.
• Organizations like the Australian Women in Security Network (AWSN) will use the observance to spotlight specialized career pathways in cybersecurity, an area where female representation is particularly vital to national resilience.

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

Top things to do in Australia 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.
• Watch a Documentary to learn more about Girls in ICT in Australia:
  1) Debugging the Gender Divide: Australian Women in Technology - A documentary that tells the stories of successful women in the Australian tech industry, highlighting their achievements and challenges along the way.
  2) Tech Girls - An Australian documentary that focuses on encouraging and inspiring girls to get involved in technology and ICT.
• Attend relevant workshops: Companies and organizations often host workshops where girls can learn coding, app development, or other ICT skills.