International Girls in ICT Day 2025: How advancing inclusive ICT is reducing the gender technology gap

Ankita Tiwari* and Dr. Shalini Gakhar**

Despite continuous advancements in agricultural technologies, there exists a significant digital gender divide globally, especially in rural and marginalized communities. Women farmers often face limited access to mobile phones, internet connectivity, digital literacy, and tailored training programs. These barriers constrain their ability to adopt climate-smart practices, access market information, and make informed farming decisions.

Excluding women and girls from the digital transformation not only perpetuates existing inequalities but also limits the full potential of agricultural innovation, productivity, and resilience.

As we celebrate International Girls in ICT Day, we must reflect on the importance of bridging the digital gender divide in the present technology-driven world. This year’s theme, “Girls in ICT for Inclusive Digital Transformation,” stresses that true progress in digital development must include everyone, especially girls and women who remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

To accelerate this shared vision, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is advancing gender-inclusive digital agriculture to drive meaningful impact. Across Asia and Africa, IRRI is leveraging information and communication technologies (ICTs) to empower women and girls as users, contributors, and leaders of agricultural innovation.