UN in the UAE Hosts Girls in ICT Day Exchange

The United Nations in the UAE marked International Girls in ICT Day by bringing together students and young professionals from across the country for an exchange with the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Bérangère Boëll, on inclusion, artificial intelligence, and women’s leadership in the digital future.

Held under the global theme “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future,” the UAE exchange was convened under the banner “Real Tech, Real Stories: Shared Journeys,” creating space for candid conversations on experiences, aspirations, and opportunities in a rapidly evolving sector. Participants included students from UAE universities alongside early-career professionals working across technology-related fields.

Opening the session, the Resident Coordinator underscored the importance of ensuring that technological progress benefits from broad participation and diverse perspectives.

“The digital transformation must be inclusive, and it must be shaped by diverse voices.”

She also highlighted the UAE’s investments in innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation, noting the country’s emergence as a space where young women are increasingly contributing to future-facing industries. Women account for 56 per cent of STEM graduates in the UAE, 21 percentage points above the global average. “The UAE is already part of the story that this day is trying to tell.”

Throughout the exchange, participants reflected on entering fields that have traditionally been male-dominated, while expressing pride in the progress being made by women helping reshape the sector. They also emphasized that technology and AI now extend far beyond the ICT field, opening pathways across industries and allowing individuals from a wide range of academic backgrounds to apply digital skills in meaningful ways.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of lifelong learning, adaptability, and remaining open to change in an environment shaped by constant innovation. At the same time, participants spoke candidly about persistent barriers, including self-doubt, cultural expectations, gender pay disparities, and the challenges women can face in progressing into mid-level leadership roles.

The event formed part of the UN in the UAE’s broader commitment to inclusive development, innovation, and empowering young people to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.