By Charmaine Ndlela
The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG) on Thursday marked International Girls in ICT Day with a call for greater access, exposure and confidence for young women in technology and innovation.
This year’s theme, “AI for development: Girls shaping the digital future,” highlights the role girls and young women are expected to play in shaping an increasingly digital world.
Observed annually on the fourth Thursday of April, International Girls in ICT Day is a global initiative aimed at encouraging girls to pursue studies and careers in information and communications technology (ICT).
The day was established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialised agency of the United Nations, following the adoption of Resolution 70 at the 2010 Plenipotentiary Conference in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Michelle Williams, Head of Academics at OWLAG, told Inside Education the day was a reminder that the challenge was not a lack of talent among girls, but limited access and exposure.
“Many girls don’t step into ICT simply because they haven’t had enough exposure to it early on,” she said.
Williams said systemic inequalities across Africa continued to affect girls’ participation in STEM fields, particularly in under-resourced schools, where limited access to technology, language barriers and a lack of confidence all contributed to the gap.
“The gap doesn’t start in the workplace, it starts in schools. That’s where we need to focus if we want to see real change,” she said.
At OWLAG, STEM education goes beyond subject knowledge and focuses on developing independent and critical thinkers, she said.
She said learners were encouraged to question, analyse and engage deeply with content through an inquiry-based approach.
“Our approach is quite intentional. We move learners beyond procedural learning into more analytical and reflective thinking,” she said.
She said technology at the academy was used to support learning rather than replace it, and that with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), the school placed strong emphasis on ensuring learners thought critically about the information they engaged with.
“AI is used as a support tool, but learners are always expected to think independently and take ownership of their work,” Williams said.
Sustaining interest in STEM subjects depended on both exposure and success, she said, adding that confidence deepened when learners began to see themselves succeeding.
Mentorship and relatable role models also played a key role in encouraging girls to pursue careers in ICT and STEM fields.
“Girls need to see examples of people who have followed similar paths and succeeded. It helps them believe that they belong in these spaces,” she said.
As part of the day’s activities, OWLAG learners are taking part in hands-on STEM projects, including building 3D-printed cars with robotic components, in an effort to strengthen practical skills and real-world application.
Williams encouraged girls across the continent to remain open to opportunities in ICT, regardless of when they began their journey.
“You do not need to have started early to succeed in ICT or STEM. What matters is your willingness to engage, to learn, and to persist,” she said.
“Our role is to ensure that girls do not just enter the future, but are confident and capable of shaping it.”
INSIDE EDUCATION
