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Shaping the Future: Girls in ICT Day 2025

Photograph by Mark Lyndersay/Cause an Effect – Shamla Maharaj at UWI, St Augustine in October 2016.

Introduction to Girls in ICT Day

On April 28, 2025, the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) hosted its annual event, "Girls in ICT Day," navigating the digital realm with an engaging online format. This year’s theme, “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation,” aimed to highlight the importance of empowering women in technology and breaking down barriers in the male-dominated field of information and communication technology (ICT).

Spotlight on Shamla Maharaj

The featured speaker, Shamla Maharaj, is a powerful advocate for disability rights and inclusion. Her personal experiences not only inspire but also challenge the prevailing gender dynamics in STEM and ICT. Following her speech, a panel discussion delved deep into the pressing issues surrounding women’s participation in technology.

Unraveling Gender Disparity in STEM

Despite continuous efforts to address gender imbalance in technology and STEM professions, gender disparity remains a significant concern in the Caribbean region. A notable study conducted in Jamaica in 2018 titled “An Examination of Gender Balance in ICT at Educational Institutions” revealed a stark contrast between male and female students. Although the gender ratio among students taking IT exams at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) was approximately equal, the landscape changed at the university level, where male students outnumbered female students by three to one.

Interestingly, while success ratios did improve slightly at graduation—showing a 2.25:1 ratio of males to females awarded degrees—disparities persisted, leading to questions about the systemic barriers deterring women from pursuing and succeeding in this field.

Global Comparisons and Concerns

The situation isn’t unique to Jamaica. A research study in 2020 by Nicholls University titled “Gender Disparity in Students’ Choices of Information Technology Majors” found that while female graduates are abundant in universities, the number enrolling in ICT programs trails significantly behind their male counterparts. Moreover, a report from the UNDP in 2024 highlighted Trinidad and Tobago as lagging in female participation in STEM at just 27%. Notably, this statistic stems from research using data from as far back as 2002.

Further investigations conducted in 2022 revealed a glaring oversight: documents relating to regional planning had failed to acknowledge girls and women as a particularly disadvantaged demographic in ICT.

Shamla Maharaj: A Testament to Change

In her role as a Product Delivery Analyst for Scotiabank’s English Caribbean region, Shamla Maharaj attributes much of her success to technology. She captivated attendees during the CTU webinar with her poignant questions: “Imagine what your life would be without ICT—no internet, no devices, no digital learning, no apps, no access to knowledge, or to each other?” Her insights underscore the transformative power technology holds for those facing physical disabilities.

Reflecting on her journey, Shamla emphasized the notion of self-creation: “I didn’t want to wait on the world to create space. I believed that to move forward, I had to carve out my own opportunities.” Her early experiences with technology, beginning at the age of seven, opened the gates to the digital realm and altered the course of her life.

The Role of Technology in Accessibility

Shamla described her ability to execute responsibilities remotely, managing regional initiatives and fostering inclusion with professionalism akin to those in traditional office settings. With the advent of tools such as speech recognition and language translation, technology is not only reshaping how individuals with disabilities perceive their world but also enhancing accessibility, thereby breaking down walls.

Education: A Catalyst for Change

Shamla advocates for a shift in educational paradigms: “Our schools must harness technology while teaching students critical thinking skills. The focus should be on problem-solving and creating innovative solutions.” In her view, fostering a curriculum that encompasses both technological aptitude and social inclusion is essential for nurturing future leaders.

Inclusive Innovation: A Non-Negotiable Future

Looking forward, Shamla emphasized the need for a supportive mindset, robust support systems, and accessible opportunities. “Inclusive innovation is non-negotiable,” she stated, aligning her beliefs with a communal approach to leveraging technology for societal advancement.

Perspectives from Industry Leaders

Vashti Maharaj, an Adviser for Digital Trade Policy at the Commonwealth Secretariat, highlighted the ongoing challenges women face in STEM, suggesting that changing societal perceptions about gender roles in tech can create new opportunities. “Women bring unique problem-solving abilities and social empathy; we need to empower them to harness these skills within the ICT sphere,” she stated.

Esther Callender-George, the president of ISACA Trinidad & Tobago, added another layer: “Critical thinking trumps technical skills in ICT leadership.” She emphasized the significance of adaptability in navigating biases and challenges that women often face in the field.

AI legalese decoder: A New Frontier

In light of evolving technologies, tools like the AI legalese decoder can play a pivotal role in addressing the complexities within the legal landscape of ICT. By simplifying legal jargon, this technology empowers individuals to better understand their rights and responsibilities in the digital realm. For women and marginalized groups in tech, having access to clear legal provisions helps navigate systemic barriers in the workplace, enabling fairer representation and fostering inclusivity.

Conclusion: Building a Brighter Future

The call for action to support women in ICT has never been more critical. By harnessing technology and promoting education that emphasizes inclusivity and resilience, we can work together to shape a future where women are not only participants but leaders within the technology landscape. The path to equality in ICT is marked by collaboration, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of an inclusive digital future.

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