The ILO participated at the commemoration of the International Day of Girls in ICT in Jakarta, jointly organized by the Ministry of Communication and Information and UN Indonesia with support from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UNDP, UN Women and ILO. Held on 13 May, the interactive event focused on expanding horizons and changing attitudes of the public on girls in ICT.

The event was officially opened by Rosarita Niken Widiastuti, Secretary General of Ministry of Communication and Information. She underlined the lack of participation of women and girls in the ICT sector by saying that female labour participation rate was only around 50 percent compared to more than 80 percent of male participation rate.
“I hope through this kind of public discussion, we can continue building the confidence of girls and women to enter ICT sector. Women can be anything that they want if they have the willingness, opportunity and the capacity,” she stated.

Representing the UN Indonesia, Anita Nirody, UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia, emphasized the importance of women empowerment. “Empowering women benefit all of us. It is not only benefit the communities but also countries. Thus, girls and women empowerment in ICT sector should be done in partnerships with all stakeholders: government, private sector, NGOs, communities, development partners and others,” she said.

In addition to the ILO, the interactive talkshow include speakers from UN Women, UNDP, Masyarakat Telematika Indonesia (Mastel) and a young artist/influencer. The ILO was represented by Hirania Wiryasti, Project Coordinator for Women in STEM Workforce Readiness and Development Programme.

During the talkshow, Hirania explained about the ILO programmes and activities related to girls and women in ICT and how ICT skills were important in gaining employment. Addressing issue regarding the difficulties to get more girls and women into ICT sector, she pointed out the urgency of mind-set and attitude changing not only from the girls and women themselves but also from families, communities, education providers, employers and government.

“As part of the effort to promote better access for girls and women entering the ICT sector, the ILO is now collaborating with a public training center under the Ministry of Manpower, BBPLK Bekasi, in the provision of ICT skills training for female youth. We hope that through this programme, more and more women would be entering the ICT sector,” she added.

The joint programme between the ILO and BPPLK Bekasi offers a training programme for four skills: Web development, graphic design, IT software solution for business and network professional. In 2019, the programme is targeted to reach out around 400 female youth.

“To ensure the smoothness of the programme, the ILO also strengthen gender knowledge of BBPLK Bekasi management and instructors as well as develop female friendly promotional materials and organize female-only classes,” Hirania added while encouraging the participants of the public discussions to read and help disseminating brochures and flyers on women in STEM.

The event was attended by more than 200 people from various organizations, including governmental ministries, UN agencies, NGOs, students and academia and the public at large.