ITU announces ‘Global Network of Women ICT Decision Makers’ at GSMA mWomen Closing the Gender Gap Event

At the GSMA mWomen Closing the Gender Gap event at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona today, Ms. Jasna Matic, Minister of Telecommunications and Information Society, Serbia, and Mrs. Coumba Touré announced the creation of the ‘Global Network of Women ICT Decision Makers’ under the auspices of ITU.

This global network will link together women who have a leading position and are decision makers in ICT, whether they are in government, independent regulatory agencies, academia or the private sector. The aim is to create a unified voice for women in the ICT sector, which remains predominately male dominated. It is hoped that the new network will lead to a better future for women and girls in ICT and with ICT.

Minister Matic commented: ‘Our sector has had the strongest growth in the recent past couple of decades and with the greatest prospect for growth in the next few. We must encourage young women to bring their talents to the industry.’

Mrs Coumba Touré said: ‘This very exciting news and is the result of the ITU’s effort to close the gender gap. We feel that women who are fortunate enough to have reached high positions in the industry have much to offer to our younger sisters and daughters who have not yet been as fortunate.’

Cathy Webster, Head of HR, GSMA, said, ‘This is an important initiative. The mobile and technology industries are currently missing a massive opportunity by ignoring the female talent pool. Ensuring the female voice is heard will help make the technology and mobile industries more attractive for women and will make a positive commercial difference.’

The Official Launch of the Global Network of Women ICT Decision Makers will be held on 25 February 2011, during the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York.

Check out www.witnet.org for updates on the Global Network of Women ICT Decision Makers.

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