Press release: EQUALS in Tech Awards now accepting nominations for innovative initiatives to bridge the digital gender divide

Geneva, 21 March 2018 – The EQUALS Global Partnership is pleased to announce that it is now accepting nominations for the prestigious 2018 EQUALS in Tech Awards. Exceptional initiatives that are using the power of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to empower women and girls across the globe are invited to submit nominations.

This year’s EQUALS in Tech Awards will be presented in four categories: 

• Access: Initiatives related to improving women and girl’s digital technology access, connectivity and security.
• Skills: Initiatives that support development of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills of women and girls.
• Leadership (2 subcategories):
  
  1. Initiatives focused on promoting women in decision-making roles within the ICT field.
  2. Initiatives promoted by tech sector companies to bridge the digital gender divide.
• Research: Initiatives prioritizing research on gender digital divides and producing reliable evidence to tackle diversity issues within STEM and computing fields

By providing a platform for outstanding initiatives, the awards demonstrate the diverse and powerful ways in which ICTs can be used to improve social, political and economic prospects for women and girls – as well as the value that women bring to the tech sector. The competition is also generously supported each year by leading companies and others committed to bridging the gender digital divide.

The awards are organized annually by the EQUALS Global Partnership, a growing global network of 55 companies, organizations, UN agencies and research bodies working together to bring tech to women and girls, and women to tech sectors. EQUALS founding partners are the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UN Women, International Trade Centre, GSMA and the United Nations University. ITU serves as Chair of the EQUALS Steering Committee, while the Internet Society serves as its Vice Chair.

“Each year, the EQUALS in Tech Awards recognize impactful initiatives around the globe that are providing women and girls with the much-needed digital access, skills and employment opportunities necessary to navigate our increasingly digital world,” said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao.

“ITU is honoured to be part of the expanding EQUALS Global Partnership, and to join with other EQUALS partners to celebrate the important work of those nominated for the awards,” he added.

The Internet Society has been a strong supporter of the EQUALS in Tech Awards since 2016. In recognizing the importance of the awards, Internet Society President Kathy Brown said: “Worldwide, several initiatives are working to address the growing digital and gender divide, and the Internet Society is proud to be a supporting partner of the EQUALS in Tech Awards.”

In accepting a 2017 EQUALS in Tech Award on behalf of the Digital Citizen Fund, Roya Mahboob said: "This award means the world is supporting us and recognizing the importance of what we are doing. It’s an honour that comes after years of building Digital Citizen Fund to empower women to be active participants and innovators in the ever-changing economy despite significant challenges. I believe it will encourage us, even more, to pursue our dreams and strive to create meaningful opportunities for women in our increasingly digital world."

Nominated initiatives will be judged by a distinguished jury of partners and previous winners, recognized as the EQUALS in Tech Awards Advisory Group. This group will also work together to share their best practices and to promote the call for nominations.

The date and location of the 2018 EQUALS in Tech Awards ceremony will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information about how to submit a nomination, visit: www.equals.org/2018-awards

To become a sponsor contact: EQUALS@itu.int

Media Contact:
Jennifer Ferguson-Mitchell
Senior Media and Communications Officer, ITU
Tel.: +41 22 730 5469
Mobile +41 79 3374615
E-mail: jennifer.ferguson-mitchell@itu.int