The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.
ABU DHABI / WAM
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) celebrated International Girls in ICT Day. This annual event is part of the International Telecommunication Union’s initiatives. This year’s theme, “Leadership,”aims to inspire and empower women to take on influential and prominent roles and serve as role models in the ICT sector.
TDRA hosted its celebration at its Dubai office, with the participation of the TDRA Youth Council and in collaboration with the Youth Advisory Council for Sustainable Development Goals. The event featured a range of activities aimed at increasing girls’ awareness of future opportunities in the ICT sector and motivating them to pursue related fields of study. Mohammed Al Ramsi, TDRA Deputy Director-General for the Telecommunications Sector, said, “The UAE ICT sector pulsates with dynamism and vigour, showcasing the remarkable contributions of women who play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s present and future. Notably, approximately 49% of graduates in fields related to ICT are female. When it comes to leadership, the UAE has set a remarkable example. Within our esteemed Cabinet, nine women hold prominent positions, with many backgrounds in technology or roles closely aligned with digital innovation. This underscores the interconnectedness of all sectors in the UAE with technology, which drives development and shapes the trajectory of various other domains.”
The ceremony’s agenda featured a welcoming speech by Shatha Al Hashmi, Advisor to the General Secretariat for Sustainable Development Goals in the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals, where she highlighted the pivotal role of Emirati women in advancing development objectives.The event featured a panel discussion titled “Behind Every Robot, an Ambitious Woman” with the participation of Yasmin Al Enazi, co-founder and UAE Ambassador Women in AI Global Community, and Business Development Director at MARSES Robotics. A second panel discussion titled “The Experiences of Inspiring Youth in the ICT Sector” was presented by speakers from TDRA in collaboration with the Etisalat Youth Council from E& and Dewa.
The ceremony highlighted women’s accomplishments in the ICT, underscoring the UAE’s leadership in gender equality. According to the United Nations Development Programme, the UAE claimed the top rank in the gender equality index for 2024, ranking first regionally and seventh globally. Additionally, data from the Artificial Intelligence Office reveals that women constitute 46% of graduates from the Artificial Intelligence program. Furthermore, within the work team at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, approximately 42% are women, a figure that significantly rises in hands-on roles. Notably, women comprised 80% of the scientific team involved in the Hope Probe mission.
Female students in scientific disciplines have risen in recent years, reaching 56% among graduates in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and innovation majors at public universities. Moreover, women constitute approximately 67% of qualified participants in the National Science and Technology Exhibition.