Jeddah (UNA-OIC) – On the occasion of the International Girls in ICT Day observed yearly by the international community on the fourth Thursday of April, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen stressed the important role of technology and digital communication in connecting people.
Al-Othaimeen emphasized the significance of technology, particularly during these times when most countries of the world are still following strict safety and precautionary measures of social distancing and travel ban to prevent and control the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
He said that despite the global pandemic, women in OIC Member States and around the world have made remarkable and inspiring efforts to transform their on-site learning and/or workplace environments into exciting and effective virtual modes in order to accomplish their goals, and therefore they deserve to be celebrated during this special occasion.
The OIC attaches great importance to the empowerment of women and girls in ICT and providing them with equal opportunities, given the growth of this field that requires more investment in it as a basis for economic growth and social development, Al-Othaimeen asserted.
He called on the international community to intensify efforts to accommodate more girls and women in ICT, as well as in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies and jobs, which are considered the fields of the future.
The Secretary-General referred to the resolution adopted by the Ministerial Conference on Women in Burkina Faso in 2018, which called on the Member States to take legislative and executive measures to provide STEM programs for women to bridge the gap between women’s education and labor market requirements.
