Young Azerbaijani women with an interest in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) celebrated their achievements at a special event entitled “Girls in ICT Day” in Baku on April 25.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supported the event that was hosted by IREX. The event highlighted the skills and contributions of young women working in the ICT field. Awards were made to winners of Tech Age Girls (TAG) project. Representatives from local NGOs working on gender issues and from the Ministry of Education participated in the event.

The TAG program encourages young women to develop their ICT skills by providing them with training in ICT applications and media tools, and offering opportunities to engage in public discussion.

As part of the TAG program, 110 girls from 10 regions of Azerbaijan have attended USAID "Camera as Voice" training, implemented by USAID partner IREX, since 2011. The activity helps to empower women to express their views and promote discussion of topical issues through the use of multimedia. Angela Nicoara, IREX Chief of Party said, “The young women who attended our training are talented. We were amazed at some of the stories they have created, using only a camera and their newly acquired information technology skills”.

Girls in ICT Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in April every year. This is the second year running that USAID and IREX helped celebrate the day in Azerbaijan.

International Girls’ in ICT Day is an initiative backed by United Nations Member States to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing field of information and communication technologies.