International Girls in ICT Day: Empowering Women and Girls with Digital Skills

Ahead of International Girls in ICT Day, attention turns to one of the most important challenges in digital transformation. Women and girls must have the skills and opportunities to participate fully in the digital economy. Today, women hold just 20% of tech jobs globally, highlighting the need for more inclusive access to digital skills and career pathways.

This video highlights the impact of the HER Digital Skills initiative, a global effort led by GSMA in partnership with the EQUALS Global Partnership. The initiative aims to equip one million women and girls with free, gender transformative digital skills training by 2026.

Through accessible and self paced learning, participants gain foundational digital skills, recognised credentials via the ITU Online Academy, and access to mentoring and career development opportunities. The programme is designed not only to build knowledge, but also to strengthen confidence by creating safe and inclusive spaces where women and girls can learn, connect and grow.

Partnership plays a central role in delivering this impact. With support from organisations including Verizon, the initiative brings together industry expertise, mentoring and resources to expand its reach. From volunteer led training to career guidance, these collaborations help translate digital skills into real world opportunities.

Watch the video to learn how HER Digital Skills is helping to build a more inclusive digital future and why empowering women and girls is essential to shaping it.