World Telecommunications and Information Society Day also known as WTISD is observed annually on 17th May.
The main objective of the day is to help raise global awareness on the use of the internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) in order to bridge the digital divide.
The theme for this year’s WTISD draws attention to the women and girls in ICT.
With this year’s theme, ICTs are expected to serve as catalysts for achieving harmony among the spatial, social, and environmental aspects of the urban milieu and its dwellers.
It is hoped that ICTs will improve the lives of people in terms of providing affordable and equitable access to information and knowledge.
This is expected to empower the majority of the world’s population, who have been pushed to the margins of society, in order to transcend socio-economic disparities and the digital divide.
With regard to the theme for this year’s WTISD, it reminds us of the many women and girls around the world that are already using ICTs in numerous ways.
Social networks such as facebook, twitter, Linked in, Ning, Badoo, are allowing women and girls around the world to mobilize themselves for their rights, democracy, dignity and to be connected more than ever before.
It is also obvious that Internet abusers also targets women and girls as victims.
Thus, we must do everything possible to stop these crimes, and promote greater online security for all people.
As this important day is being observed, we encourage our girls and women to continue making the best use of the technology and ICTs in general.
Women and girls must also be mindful of internet abusers, so as not to fall victim their dubious actions.