Women only occupy 17% of tech jobs which has a disproportionate effect on their influence over its design and ultimately the use of technology. Research has also found that women are considered better coders, but only if they hide their gender. It is critical that we change the narrative and create a global environment which encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing field of information and communication technologies (ICTs).

In the spirit of International Girls in ICT Day, an initiative backed by all ITU Member States (The United Nations specialized agency for ICT), Oxfam is hosting a Twitter debate with the ITU to discuss how we can level the playing field for girls in technology. 

Joined by a set of expert panellists, we will be exploring questions like:

• What employment opportunities are there for young women interested in ICT careers?
• What are the opportunities presented by ICTs for girls to advance their rights?
• What examples do you know about where girls have used ICTs to promote their education or livelihoods?
• What are the barriers faced by girls in using technology? What are the risks of them being left behind?

The panel will include: 

• Ronda Zelezny-Green, @GLaM_Leo a US Fulbright Scholar and 2015 Outstanding Young American, is in the final year of a PhD in ICT4D in the Department of Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London.
• Chisenga Muyoya @MissChissy is a proactive leader with a deep passion for social change and has over 5 years of experience in the ICT sector.
• Judith Adem Owigar @owigarj| @akirachix is Operations Director at AkiraChix (www.akirachix.com): a not for profit organisation that aims to inspire and develop a successful force of women in technology who will change Africa's future.
• Martha Omoekpen Alade is a researcher, technologist and an entrepreneur; who formed Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN) ;an NGO that provides networking, entrepreneurship and professional development opportunities through technology for women in Nigeria, inspiring girls to embrace the emerging tech markets as inventors and innovators.

When: April 27, 2016: 14:00-15:00 GMT

How to join: We want to hear your views. Simply follow the hashtag #GirlsinICT on April 27 at 14:00 GMT and have your say by including in your tweets: #GirlsinICT and @OxfamGBPolicy.

Originally posted on: Oxfam Policy & Practice Blog