The employment in the ICT sector has grown over the past ten years. However, only about 16% of the nearly 8 million people working in ICT are women. The European Commission considers that "attracting more women to technology would ensure a boost to the economy and would contribute to further economic empowerment of women". To give visibility to this reality and promote new solutions, the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition opens a thematic call on Women and ICT, which will run parallel to the general lines of action of the Coalition:
- Digital skills for everyone
- Digital skills for the workforce
- More and better ICT professionals in Europe
- Digital skills in education
Organizations that wish to commit themselves to this cause can become part of the Coalition and organize activities focused on:
- providing digital skills training with a special focus on women and girls
- raising awareness about the opportunities available for women in ICT
- giving visibility to female role models that would inspire girls
- upskilling, re-skilling women, etc.
To make a pledge theu should become a member of the Coalition and commit to perform an action by the end of September 2017.
What offers the Coalition? They will support participants to carry out activities and facilitate collaboration. Also, they will be informed of the activities of the Coalition and can be involved in the evolution of this. Some of the participating companies and organizations will be selected to present their initiative at a meeting of the Coalition in December 2017.