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Girls in ICT: Shaping an equitable digital future

Kumar Anurag Pratap
Apr 17, 2025

In a world rapidly transformed by technology, digital skills are becoming essential. From classrooms to careers, ICT (Information and Communication Technology) is opening new doors for innovation, problem-solving, and connection. And increasingly, young girls are stepping into this space with curiosity, creativity, and ambition.

Around the world, inspiring stories are emerging—of girls building mobile apps to solve local problems, learning to code in school-based tinkering labs, and exploring careers once considered out of reach. These stories point to a powerful truth: when given access and encouragement, girls thrive in tech.

In India, the technology sector has certainly witnessed a shift in inclusion with women forming 32% of the workforce as of 2025 – however, the number is relatively low. In India, reports indicate that women and young girls  have less access to mobile phones and internet. Consequently, fewer girls enrol in computer science and related courses, and even fewer complete them.

This highlights the need to address this divide which can empower millions of girls to thrive in an increasingly digital world.  

Building Inclusive Digital Pathways

Today, we are standing at the threshold of a digital revolution, and it is evident that technology is more than a tool – it is the very foundation of opportunity. Starting from artificial intelligence and data analytics to cybersecurity and even digital marketing – most career paths today are being shaped by ICT (Information and Communication Technology). But the benefits of this transformation are not equally shared. As the digital economy expands and reshapes industries, this holds immense potential for everyone.

Girls, particularly those from marginalized communities, are still facing barriers while accessing ICT-related education and  pursue relevant careers. By improving inclusive infrastructure, providing access to digital tools, and challenging stereotypes, we can create more opportunities for them to succeed. Exposure to role models and mentors will help to inspire and guide the next generation of girls in technology.

By continuing to address these challenges, we can ensure that more girls see themselves as integral to the digital future. This is the talent that our industry eagerly needs at present.

The Need for Inclusive Digital Transformation

According to UN Women, including women in the tech and digital sphere and closing the gender gap in the workforce can add over $1 Trillion to the GDP of low and middle-income countries. In short, more participation of women in tech-related workforce can lead to economic growth. But beyond economics, access to technology is about empowerment. Digital literacy for young girls and women can lead to financial independence, leadership, innovation, and the ability to solve problems in their own communities.

Inclusion in ICT isn’t just fair—it is strategic

This year’s International Girls in ICT Day (April 24) carries the theme: “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation.” It’s a reminder that the digital economy must be built on inclusion.

To achieve a truly  inclusive digital transformation, it is imperative that girls and young women are not merely passive users of technology, but also become  creators, coders, leaders and builders. Our work shouldn’t stop with just access, we need to enable transformation as well.  This entails changing how we educate, how we mentor, and how we invest in the future workforce.

What Needs to Change?

  • Its crucial to start early. There is a need to spark curiosity about tech in classrooms, especially in government and rural schools. It is important to ensure that young girls have access to robotics, coding and other digital skills as early on as possible.
  • There is also a  need to create safe spaces so that young girls can explore tech in a safe manner – they should be able to experiment and be encouraged to try new things.
  • Young girls, who aspire to pursue careers in tech, need to meet and interact with role models who can reshape their understanding of the tech sphere and enable them to dream bigger. More importantly, they need to believe that their dreams too can come true.

At Capgemini in India, digital inclusion is at the very core of our CSR initiatives.

Through our STEM and Tinkering initiatives in government schools, we strive to introduce young girls to the world of robotics, AI, coding, electronics, and hands-on innovation. We are providing access to technology, thereby building confidence and fuelling ambitions in their minds. Our goal is to empower  girls to move beyond just consuming content, to becoming creators who express their unique perspectives.

At the next level, our Digital Academy program aims to train young women in digital and in future skills, empowering them to explore and become part of larger digital workforce to seek the future they want by opening doors to real jobs and lasting careers. Many of our Digital Academy graduates have joined Capgemini as our colleagues after completing their assessments.

We have seen the transformative impact when a girl picks up a coding kit for the first time, or when a young woman, once unsure of her future, secures her first job in tech. These moments are powerful.

The digital future is already here,  but we cannot call it true progress if it is not inclusive. This International Girls in ICT Day, let us do more than just celebrate – let us promise to build bridges between aspiration and access, between reach and transformation and between learning and opportunity.

Because when we invest in girls in ICT, we don’t just close a gap; we unlock a future.

Meet our author

Kumar Anurag Pratap

Vice President – Corporate Social Responsibility, Capgemini Technology Services India Limited 
Anurag brings with him more than 27 years of diversified experience in CSR and community development. He represents Capgemini’s commitment to bridging the digital divide as part of its Digital Inclusion initiatives. Under his leadership, Capgemini has achieved tremendous impact through diverse digital literacy initiatives, impacting millions of people and leveraging the skills of our employees to craft solutions that benefit the community at large.