UN Recognises Women’s Leadership In ICT

The UN is to recognise women’s leadership and dedication to
promote information and communication technologies (ICTs) with an award.

Our UN Correspondent reports that the recipients includes
the President of Argentina, Cristina de Kirchner, the Chairperson of the
Chinese company Huawei, Sun Yafang, and U.S. Oscar-winning actress and rights
advocate Geena Davis.

They will be awarded the World Telecommunication and
Information Society Award for their significant contribution to the ongoing
digital revolution in ICTs.

According to a statement by International Telecommunication
Union (ITU) in New York on Wednesday, the ceremony will take place at this
year’s World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, which falls on May
17.

The statement quoted the ITU’s Secretary-General, Hamadoun
Toure as commending the work of the three award-winners in promoting both the
involvement of women in the ICT field, and in demonstrating the role ICTs could
play in creating opportunities for them.

“The ability of technology to empower women and girls in
communities around the world is still largely untapped.

“We are determined to work with partners across all sectors
of society to promote the full potential of ICTs for the benefit of women and
girls,’’ Toure was quoted as saying.

The statement said the Argentine President had sought to
advance telecommunication development in her country and had also been a strong
defender of human rights and gender equity.

It added that she had supported a national telecommunication
plan and had taken far-reaching steps to connect the people of Argentina to
ICTs.