In today's increasingly digital world, being "connected" can mean the difference between financial independence and poverty. New data shows that the digital gender divide is growing, leaving hundreds of millions of women around the globe unable to access and benefit from the life-changing social and economic resources available through digital connectivity. At the same time, women are vastly underrepresented in the tech industry, while a significant lack of financial investment in women tech entrepreneurs exists.
In response, ITU and UN Women partnered in 2016 to create the EQUALS Global Partnership - bringing more women to tech and more tech to women and girls. Today more than 50 companies, organizations, universities, research institutes and others are working together to make a difference. Ms Ferguson-Mitchell will share the latest data and actions being taken by ITU and EQUALS.
ITU is the specialized United Nations agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), driving innovation in ICTs together with 193 Member States and a membership of nearly 800 private sector entities and academic institutions. It is the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to cutting-edge wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, oceanographic and satellite-based earth monitoring as well as converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is "committed to connecting the world."