Unlocking the Power of #DigitalGirls with Plan International and Google Switzerland

4/28/2017

Europe, Switzerland, Zürich, Switzerland

The aim of this event, co-hosted by Plan International and Google Switzerland, was to inspire girls and young women to enter the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, aim for leadership positions and to discuss why access to technology is vital for women’s empowerment. 

To start the event, Patrick Wanking, Google Switzerland's Country Director, introduced the audience of girls and young women to the panel of experts. The panel included student and aspiring engineer Josefine Quack; Cristina Riesen, tech start-up founder and former General Manager at Evernote; Eva Lüthi, Manager of New Business Development at Swisscom; Anne von der Grün, Senior Manager at Accenture; and Cristina-Elena Vintila, Engineer at Google Switzerland. The moderator was Suba Umathevan, Head of Programs and Partnerships at Plan International Switzerland.

The event began with an opportunity for panelists to share stories, milestones, and change factors – why they were encouraged to do what they do. The second point for discussion was how to create an enabling environment for women to flourish in ICT. The discussion revolved around how employers and people in positions of power can contribute to removing barriers for women to grow in the sector. The final part of the panel discussion was about ICT for development, and the global digital gender divide.          

At the end of the event, there was time for a wide-ranging discussion between the audience and panelists. Participants expressed their wish to continue the discussion through further events, and more informal get-togethers. One participants, Mirjam, said after the event: “I learned a lot about leadership in ICT and saw some new perspectives from women with more experience. Now, I am even more motivated to start a career in ICTand I hope I can motivate some other girls to follow my way.”