25th April International Girls in ICT Day

Since 8 April 2011, the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) has celebrated Girls in ICT Day annually on the fourth Thursday in April. This initiative promotes information and communication technologies (ICT) to young women and girls and encourages them to pursue careers in the field.

Established through Resolution 70 at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference in 2010, the event highlights the importance of empowering all girls and women through ICT for their educational and socio-economic development. 

As at 2019, over 417,000 girls and young women have participated in more than 11,590 celebrations of International Girls in ICT Day in 175 countries worldwide.

Men continue to outnumber women in numerous technical STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields such as, engineering and computer science. Prior work demonstrates the importance of introducing girls to STEM content early on, before gender stereotypes are ingrained.

At this year's conference, a highlight will be an interactive intergenerational dialogue, bringing together girls, young women, women leaders, and experts in the ICT sector to engage in dynamic discussions on how to bridge the gender digital divide for a fully inclusive digital transformation.

Books such as these two encourage educators and parents to start early, early childhood being a critical time in development to reach girls and challenge the gender differences.

There are so many picture book biographies about Ada Lovelace that every young girl has the chance to be inspired by her story. These are in the library.

There are other general books to try too

Then get started on beginning chapter book series such as 

• The Questioneers and the Ada Twist Why Files  by Andrea Beaty

• Zoey Sassafras by Asia Cintro

• Izzy the Inventor by Zanna Davidson

• Ellie Engineer  by Jackson Pearce

• Ada Lace  by Emily Calandrelli

• Astronaut Girl  by Cathy Hapka

• Libby; Cece; Vivi Loves Science by Kimberly Derring