The International Girls in ICT Day is celebrated every year on the last Thursday of April. Its goal is to encourage girls to explore careers in technology and show them that the digital future belongs to them too.
Mothers play a key role in this mission by helping their daughters build confidence, curiosity, and a love for innovation.
The role of mothers in encouraging girls in tech
A mother can make a big difference by:
Creating a safe learning environment
Encouraging her daughter to experiment without fear of failure
Teaching that mistakes are part of learning
Explaining that technology is not just for fun, but a tool to solve real-world problems
Nurturing curiosity, which drives creativity and innovation
Simple and inspiring activities
Here are practical ways to introduce girls to technology:
Coding hour: Use interactive platforms to learn basic programming through games
Robot or toy programming: Create simple animations or movement-based games
Build an app idea: Encourage solving real-life problems with simple app concepts
Offline coding: Use paper or Lego to teach logic and sequencing without screens
Binary jewelry: Use beads to represent binary code (0s and 1s)
Watch documentaries: Learn about women in tech
Find role models: Explore stories of successful women in technology
Visit tech spaces: Science centers or tech companies
Discussion sessions: Connect with experts in ICT
Learn AI basics: Understand how artificial intelligence shapes the future
Online safety: Teach privacy, cybersecurity, and responsible digital behavior
Tips to build confidence in girls
Encourage trying and failing without fear
Connect technology to purpose and impact
Support joining coding clubs or workshops
Reinforce that her mind is capable of solving problems
Promote curiosity and asking questions
Teach that technology is about creating solutions, not just consuming apps
Highlight female role models in tech
Emphasize ethical use of technology (privacy, kindness, responsibility)
Challenges girls still face in tech
Despite progress, there are still gaps:
Women represent only about 33% of researchers globally
Less than 20% in advanced fields like AI
Barriers include:
Limited funding opportunities
Career advancement challenges
Bias in hiring and recognition
In developing countries, access to education is still a major obstacle
Media representation of women in science remains limited
Key takeaway
Helping girls engage with technology early:
Builds confidence and future skills
Opens career opportunities
Encourages innovation and problem-solving
Technology is the language of the future—and girls should be empowered to speak it fluently.
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