International Girls in ICT Day 2026 spotlights how AI can unlock opportunity for young women globally, as leaders push for inclusion in the digital economy.
International Girls in ICT Day 2026 will be celebrated on 23 April under the theme “AI for Development: Girls shaping the digital future”, placing the spotlight firmly on inclusion in one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors.
Led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the global initiative brings together governments, private sector players, and civil society to address a persistent challenge: the underrepresentation of girls and women in technology.
Despite rapid digital transformation, access to opportunities in ICT remains uneven. The theme reflects a growing recognition that artificial intelligence is not just a technological shift, but a developmental lever — one that must include young women if it is to be equitable and sustainable.
A global platform for inclusion
The ITU’s global celebration will be co-hosted across two continents, linking Tirana, Albania and Brasília, Brazil through a live international broadcast. The event will connect participants worldwide, reinforcing the global nature of both the challenge and the opportunity.
Across countries and communities, organisations are encouraged to host their own events throughout the year, using ITU’s toolkit to drive local engagement, awareness, and action.
This decentralised approach reflects a broader shift — recognising that meaningful change happens not only at global forums, but within schools, communities, and local ecosystems.
Beyond awareness: building pathways
Girls in ICT Day has evolved from an awareness campaign into a platform for action. It focuses on equipping young women with skills, exposure, and access to networks that can translate into real career opportunities.
The emphasis on AI in 2026 is particularly significant. As artificial intelligence reshapes industries, the risk is not only that women are excluded from the workforce, but that they are excluded from shaping the systems themselves.
This has implications far beyond employment. It influences how technology is designed, whose problems are prioritised, and how inclusive digital systems ultimately become.
A global gap that persists
The need for initiatives like Girls in ICT Day remains clear. Globally, women continue to be underrepresented in ICT education, careers, and leadership roles.
The ITU, which brings together 194 national governments and more than 1,000 organisations, has positioned digital inclusion as central to achieving broader development goals — including economic growth, social equity, and innovation.
Without deliberate intervention, the digital divide risks reinforcing existing inequalities rather than reducing them.
A call to participate
The ITU is calling on stakeholders worldwide to take part in International Girls in ICT Day 2026 by hosting events, sharing resources, and contributing to a growing global movement.
Organisations can submit their initiatives to the official Girls in ICT portal, helping to showcase collective progress and expand the reach of the campaign.
For young women, the message is clear: the future of technology is not something to observe — it is something to shape.
