Background

Girls in ICT Day is celebrated worldwide every year on the fourth Thursday of April. This initiative provides an opportunity for girls and young women to see and be exposed to the benefit of ICT in enabling their career aspirations. To date, over 417,000 girls and young women have taken part in more than 11,590 celebrations of International Girls in ICT Day in 175 countries worldwide.

In 2025, the theme for Girls in ICT is “Girls in ICT for inclusive digital transformation”. The ICT sector is a growing sector for education in both developed and developing countries. This means that qualified female students in technical fields around the world have significant opportunities available to them. These are excellent opportunities, particularly for highly skilled girls and young women who are still a minority when it comes to education and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Developing initiatives and activities to promote and encourage girls to take up study in STEM and ICT is hence needed.

The Pacific Girls in ICT Day

The Pacific Girls in ICT Day programme aims to encourage girls and young women to pursue STEM education and careers, engaging the community, and promoting collaboration through partnerships. It aims to address the core challenge of low women presence in the field of STEM education, including in information and communication technologies.On 16 July 2025, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) launched the Pacific Girls in ICT Day 2025 under the theme “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation,” bringing together participants from across the Pacific. The event featured remarks from ITU, the UN Resident Coordinator, as well as representatives from Australia, Samoa, Republic of Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Tonga, and Papua New Guinea. Youth speakers and panelists shared inspiring insights on digital inclusion, alongside key stakeholders from UN Volunteers, Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), 3Link Vanuatu, Pacific Telecommunications Council, University of South Pacific, and AI Brain Lab of the Asian Institute of Technology. For the first time, several Digital Hubs from the Smart Islands programme in the Pacific were virtually connected, with active participation from Jabwor, Jaluit (Marshall Islands), Tonoas (Federated States ofMicronesia), Tamana (Kiribati), Nauru, Maprik (Papua New Guinea), South Malekula (Vanuatu), and Hunga (Tonga). With more than 120 participants, including 82 students (71 girls and 11 boys), and teachers from the Digital Hubs, this event highlighted regional knowledge exchange, youth empowerment, and digital capacity-building, reinforcing the Pacific’s shared commitment towards inclusive digital transformation.

The Online Media and Podcast Workshop & 2025 Closing Event

As part of the Pacific Girls in ICT Day 2025, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Asia- Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) are co-organizing the Online Media and Podcast Workshop, followed by the Pacific Girls in ICT 2025 Closing Event on Thursday, 11 December 2025 from 14:00-16:30.

The Online Media and Podcast Workshop will introduce participants to foundational knowledge and practical skills in media production, podcasting, and digital safety. Featuring experts from AIBD, ITU, and the Pacific media community, the workshop aims to inspire Pacific youth, particularly girls, to use digital platforms responsibly and creatively for positive social impact.

The workshop sessions will introduce the fundamentals of media and podcasting, highlighting how Pacific youth can use digital platforms to share their stories, ideas, and experiences with wider audiences. Through interactive presentations on podcast setup, ethical media creation, AI tools for content innovation, and online safety, participants will gain practical skills to produce impactful, responsible, and creative digital content. The sessions aim to inspire and empower young Pacific voices to become confident storytellers and advocates for positive change in their communities.

The 2025 Closing Event will conclude the Pacific Girls in ICT Day 2025 Celebration, recognizing the achievements and contributions of girls, partners, and stakeholders throughout the year. The event will highlight the key achievements of the Pacific Girls in ICT 2025 Programme, featuring an overview of the year’s activities and outcomes, keynote remarks from the Pacific government representatives, and inspirational sharing sessions from youth representatives from the Pacific who have participated in Girls in ICT initiatives across the region. Together, these contributions will showcase the impact of the programme in empowering girls and youth to pursue careers in technology and digital innovation.