As the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) pushes forward with its broader regional digital transformation strategy, the bloc is preparing to join the global community in marking the 10th anniversary of International Girls in ICT Day this Thursday, April 23, 2026. Coordinated by the CARICOM Girls In ICT Partnership, a cross-sector coalition anchored at the CARICOM Secretariat based in Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana, this year’s regional observance centers on the theme “Empower, Educate, Elevate: Building a Future-Ready CARICOM with Girls in ICT.”
International Girls in ICT Day was established to draw global attention to the persistent gender gap in the information and communication technology sector, a rapidly growing industry that continues to reorient the global economy and redefine the future of work worldwide. The annual initiative is designed to encourage more girls and young women to pursue academic pathways and long-term careers in ICT, closing the representation gap and unlocking new economic opportunities for marginalized genders across the globe.
The official opening ceremony for CARICOM’s 2026 observance is scheduled to kick off at 10 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time, featuring opening remarks from three senior stakeholders: CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett, Dean of the CARICOM Youth Ambassadors Ms. Shakiah Lewis, and Dr. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
This year’s gathering brings together a diverse cross-section of regional stakeholders, including K-12 and post-secondary educators, leading ICT industry professionals, international development partners, and female students from across CARICOM member states. Participants will engage in collaborative dialogue, share on-the-ground experiences, and co-design actionable strategies to narrow the gender divide in the Caribbean digital sector.
All sessions for the 10th anniversary observance will be held virtually, making the event accessible to participants across the Caribbean region. The full day of programming will be livestreamed via CARICOM’s official digital platforms as well as the Restore A Sense of I Can (RSC) platform. The session lineup covers a range of timely and practical topics, from a youth-led panel titled “Youth Spotlight: Next Gen Leaders Speak” and a policy discussion “Achieving Gender Parity in the Age of AI” to a hands-on introductory coding workshop for participants and an open forum addressing ongoing systemic barriers that girls and women face in the information technology space.
In a formal statement ahead of the event, CARICOM emphasized the central role that initiatives like International Girls in ICT Day play in advancing the bloc’s broader digital transformation goals. “As CARICOM continues to advance its digital transformation agenda, initiatives such as Girls in ICT Day play a critical role in fostering inclusivity, innovation, and equal opportunity. By equipping girls with the necessary digital skills and confidence, the Region strengthens its capacity to compete in an increasingly technology-driven world,” the statement read.
The CARICOM Girls in ICT Partnership, the body leading the regional commemoration, includes representatives from national government ministries, core CARICOM institutions and associate bodies, global international agencies, and a range of youth, women’s, and ICT-focused organizations and programs across the region. The partnership has opened registration for all interested participants, who can sign up to join the virtual event by scanning the QR code included on the official event flyer.