International Girls in ICT Day Celebrated in Malta

• April 30, 2026
• Andrew

Each April, countries around the world mark International Girls in ICT Day, a global initiative aimed at encouraging more girls and young women to explore opportunities in information and communication technology (ICT). Observed annually on the fourth Thursday of April, the day highlights the importance of equipping girls with the digital skills needed for the careers of tomorrow.

International Girls in ICT Day is not only about raising awareness, but also about creating meaningful and lasting engagement. Across Malta and internationally, activities linked to the celebration include interactive workshops, coding sessions, mentoring opportunities, and career talks, each designed to encourage curiosity and build practical skills.

In Malta, the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) organised the celebration of International Girls in ICT Day on 29th April 2026. This year’s theme, “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future,” attracted an outstanding 172 girls from six different secondary schools: St Joseph Mater Boni Consilii Paola, St Joseph Blata l-Bajda, Immaculate Conception, Sacred Heart College, St Therese College Birkirkara Middle School, and Gozo College Agius de Soldanis Middle School.

Ms Rachel Baldacchino Buhagiar who occupies the role of Manager Projects at MDIA, delivered the opening speech, highlighting that technology is not only about computers, coding, or complex systems, but it is also about creativity, curiosity, teamwork, and problem-solving.

The participating students took part in a variety of workshops, including Character Design led by Mr. Zack Ritchie; Cyber Clues and Smart Tools delivered by Ms. Roxanne Brooks from CY4 Ltd; Vibe Coding for a Digital Future Using AI by Ms. Marion Bugeja Micallef; CoderDojo led by Celine Suban and her colleagues from EY Malta; She Builds with Microbits led by Mr. Omar Seguna and his colleagues from the Directorate of Digital Literacy and Transversal Skills; and Girls Shaping the Digital Future facilitated by Mr. Rob Rizzo.

Twelve organisations, together with two student organisations, also manned the career desks at the event. These included Tech.mt, MDIA, MBR, MITA, the Malta Police Force, MGA, EY Malta, GO plc, BOV, CY4, Smart Technologies, Deloitte, MCAST ICT students, and ICTSA students from the University of Malta. It is always valuable for students to hear directly from professionals in the ICT sector and from peers who are only a few years older, as their real-life experiences make career pathways feel more relatable and achievable.

The Hon. Silvio Schembri, Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, also visited the event, speaking with the various industry partners, workshop leaders and engaging directly with the students during the workshops. His presence highlighted the importance of encouraging young students, to explore future opportunities in the digital and technology sectors.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like International Girls in ICT Day remain essential in ensuring that no talent is left behind. By empowering more girls to explore technology, Malta continues to contribute to a more inclusive, innovative, and future-ready society. The relevance of this initiative continues to grow as digital technologies shape every aspect of modern life. Despite increasing demand for ICT professionals, women remain underrepresented in technical roles, often due to limited exposure or a lack of role models.

By opening doors, sparking curiosity, and giving girls the tools to shape the digital world, not just participate in it, Malta is investing in the architects of our future. The next breakthrough, the next innovation, the next bold idea may very well come from one of the girls inspired today. That is the true power of this initiative: it does not just influence careers; it helps shape the future.

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