RC Trebucq's Remarks at “Conversations with Caribbean Women in ICT” for International Women’s Day 2023

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Thank you, Angela and good morning, to all. I want to acknowledge:

• Distinguished Panellists
• Development Partners, including our partners of the EUD and Canada
• Civil Society representatives
• Ms. Tonni Brodber, Representative , UN Women  Multi-Country Office – Caribbean
• Other colleagues from the UN
• Members of the Media
• Ladies and gentlemen,

Happy International Women’s Day!

It’s my pleasure to be with you this morning on UWItv. It is great to note the vibrant purple reflected here at UN House and wherever you are, as we celebrate the achievements of women and girls in all our corners and spaces.

We have a rich panel with us today, including youth. I applaud their work and look forward to hearing more about their inspiration for  bridging the gender gap in ICT. It has reaped gains in business development, agriculture, and digital upskilling of over 1,000 Caribbean girls.

In a world where women make up under a third of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and maths, this year’s theme DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality - puts into focus how we can expand routes to education and opportunities for women and girls.

Women and girls are leaders, changemakers, caretakers, and peacemakers. Yet, to this day, they are still forced to fight for their rights, from structural injustices to being marginalised and even facing gender-based violence.

The internet has the power to transform but isn’t shared equally. Global data tells us that of the estimated 2.7 billion people currently unconnected, the majority are women and girls.

I also want to remind that in the Caribbean, gender-based violence persists with  between 39% to 55% of women experiencing intimate partner violence. In partnership with the European Union, the UN System will continue to fight against it through our  Spotlight Initiative joint programmes in Grenada and in the wider region. We have also partnered with Governments, the civil society , and private sector across the Eastern Caribbean to support the digital transition in order to improve livelihoods , enhance social protection and ensure a more equitable future for ALL.  

So, as women and girls still fight to access new opportunities, digitalization is a chance to uplift them, giving them a stronger voice, and economically empowering them.

Today our panel of women leaders will discuss how to close the digital divide and increase the representation of women and girls in science and technology. Because it is critical that we invest in women, and work together as ONE for a society that’s inclusive, just, and prosperous for women, girls, men, and boys everywhere.

I want to renew here today the commitment of the United Nations to this goal.

Happy International Women’s Day!