March 2, 2012 | Quebec

The United Nations(UN) has recently launched a new web portal to encourage more young women to prepare for careers in information and communication technology. The site, called Girls In ICT (girlsinict.org), is designed to help girls between the ages of 11 and 25 gain more access to job opportunities, training and career advice in the IT sector.

"While teenage girls now use computers and the Internet at rates similar to boys, they are five times less likely to consider a technology-related career," the release states.

On the ICT site, women will have access to scholarship information, internships, IT contests and awards, tech camps and online networks where they can meet other women who work in the predominantly male industry.
     
"We hope our new Girls in ICT portal...will be a major catalyst in creating exciting and rewarding new choices for women worldwide," stated Brahima Sanou, the director of ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau.

Women who wish to pursue a career in IT can use the resources available from the ICT site while taking networking training or programming courses or other Technology Programs at CDI College. To begin, fill out the form on the right.