Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women and girls across all walks of life. The 2023 theme for International Women’s Day is DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality. The Accomplishments of women and girls in the digital world have been against all odds, in a field that has historically neither welcomed nor appreciated them.

In his message for International Women’s Day UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said:

International Women’s Day is a call to action. Action to stand with women who are demanding their fundamental rights at great personal cost. Action to strengthen protection against sexual exploitation and abuse. And action to accelerate women’s full participation and leadership.

This year’s theme stresses the need for technology and innovation to advance gender equality. Technology can expand pathways to education and opportunities for women and girls. But it can also be used to amplify abuse and hatred. Today, women make up under a third of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and maths. And when women are under-represented in developing new technologies, discrimination may be baked in from the start. That is why we must close the digital divide and increase the representation of women and girls in science and technology.

ACRATH is deeply aware that discrimination of women and girls leaves them vulnerable to being exploited and trafficked. What commitment will you make on this International Women’s Day to ensure women and girls are given the respect and dignity that is their right.