ICT and Women
Every European Digital
"My motto, my dream, my bumper sticker is to get Every European Digital and my ambition is to get more women into ICT."
[Neelie Kroes]
Information Technologies are everywhere: they make our lives richer and more comfortable. They connect people worldwide - anywhere, anytime. They even help save lives!
The information and communication technology (ICT) sector also contributes strongly to EU growth: 5.3% of the EU's GDP and 4% of its jobs. Not to mention 20% of economy-wide labour productivity growth and is the EU’s most innovative and research-intensive sector - representing one quarter of the total EU research effort in the business sector.
However, the ICT industry is facing a real crisis in its effort to recruit excellent minds, both male and female. The number of young people studying and choosing careers in ICT is decreasing and is not keeping up with a growing demand. Without the necessary number of well-skilled employees the sector will not remain competitive.
Furthermore, women are under-represented at all levels in the ICT sector, especially in decision-making positions. There is a pressing need to attract more women into ICT jobs in order to realise full equal opportunities and to empower them to participate fully in the information society.
One way to reverse these negative trends is to encourage young people, and in particularly women, to take up an ICT-related career. The European Commission therefore wants more to be done across Europe to inspire young women to get interested in ICT.
In October 2011, Vice-President Kroes discussed the challenges and possible ways ahead with a group of people interested in changing this – including Members of the European Parliament and other activists. You can read about it in her blog here.
We want to raise awareness of the problem and we will use this page to keep you updated on the state of affairs. You are more than welcome to share your experiences and write to us with ideas.