Despite the obvious benefits, many girls never even consider a career in ICTs. There is a lack of awareness among students, teachers and parents on what a career in ICT could offer. Attitudes can change when girls are invited into companies and government agencies to meet ICT professionals and see what life is like on the job. For this reason, ITU members agreed to recognize Girls in ICT Days on the 4th Thursday of every April in ITU Plenipotentiary Resolution 70 (Guadalajara, 2010).
These are events where girls are invited to spend the day at the office of ICT companies so they better understand the opportunities the ICT sector holds for their future. The ICT sector remains a buoyant and growing sector for employment and a key sector underpinning both national and international development. Employment in the ICT sector has continued to grow significantly in recent years. This growth, however, has not led to a parallel increase in women's presence in the ICT labour market. The perception that the ICT sector is a male-dominated industry still persists. 46% of ICT companies are employing more than 5 males in a year. In contrast, 28% of them are employing between 1 and 5 female employees in one year. It can be concluded that generally, on an annual basis, companies are employing double males then females. There is also room for significant improvement in the number of women holding leadership positions at board and senior management levels.
The ICT industry does not require physical predispositions. ICT industry is based on intellectual projects with high level of innovation and researching processes, thus brain and knowledge is all what is needed.
The most important determinant of a country's competitiveness is its human capital and talent - the skills, education and productivity of its workforce. Women account for one-half of the potential talent base throughout the world. Closing gender gaps is therefore not only a matter of human rights and equity; it is also one of efficiency and economic productivity.
There are compelling economic reasons for engaging women more prominently. Closing the male-female employment gap is good for economic growth. Research indicates that the narrowing in the male-female employment gap has been an important driver of Europe's economic growth in the last decade.
Gender diversity in high value ICT jobs in both management and on companies' boards is good for business performance. Studies exploring the link between women in leadership positions and business performance have shown a direct positive correlation between gender diversity on top leadership teams and a company's financial results. More diverse teams make better informed decisions, leading to less risk-taking and more successful outcomes for companies. A nation's ICT competitiveness depends significantly on whether and how it educates and utilizes its female skills.
