The data from the European Commission is clear:  ‘Even though women make up 51% of the EU population, only one in three science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates and one in five information and communications technology (ICT) specialists are women. Since 2015, the percentage of women working in ICT has not changed much.’ Europe has a ways to go before it achieves the EU’s Digital Decade target of 20 million ICT specialist and gender convergence.

Fortunately, the International Girls in ICT Day, celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday in April, seeks to upend this status quo and make the burgeoning ICT field more inclusive for girls and young women. First created in 2011 by the International Telecommunication Union, Cisco’s Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) employee resource group has turned the commemoration into an annual global flagship event.

According to Anna Barker, Vice President, Delivery, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Customer Experience Centers, Cisco, and EMEA Executive Sponsor, WISE community:

‘Advocating for the WISE community is incredibly rewarding, and participating in Girls in ICT Day events across Europe is an annual highlight for me. It’s inspiring to see girls and young women discover their potential in technology, and I’m proud of the impact we’re making in shaping a more diverse and innovative future.’

In 2025, Cisco WISE marked the day with a powerful broadcast featuring some of Cisco’s female leaders sharing their personal journeys, mentorship experiences and visions for the future of technology. The event was broadcast around the world to inspire the next generation of trailblazers and help students embrace their unique strengths and bridge divides, as well as gain exposure to Cisco technology and networking opportunities.

More than a dozen local WISE chapters within EMEA hosted events to amplify this year’s theme –  ‘From Hope to Impact: Empowering Girls to Shape our Digital Future’ –  as well as support organisations that empower young people. Throughout Europe, WISE chapters and their Cisco partners organised:

• The Cisco Tech Festival in Krakow, Poland, which hosted more than 300 students from top technical high schools over three days for panel sessions, networking, presentations and workshops while supporting the Hearty Foundation.
• A full day of activities in Oslo, Norway for 60 teenage students and their teachers, including inspirational talks from engineers, a quiz and workshops in virtual reality, robot cars and design studio, while supporting Technovation Girls.
• A webinar for secondary school students in the UK featuring an executive keynote, a panel with Cisco apprentices and a quiz with prizes, while supporting the Uni Genius programme at the Global Giving Foundation.
• A programme for 30 girls in Madrid, including a tour of the Cisco office, a demonstration of the innovation centre, an artificial intelligence presentation and a design and thinking workshop, while supporting Technovation Girls.
• Cybersecurity and STEM activities and a speed mentoring programme for more than 40 girls in Lisbon, aged 11 to 14, while supporting the Girl Move Academy.

By providing opportunities, resources and role models for students across Europe and around the world, Cisco is doing its part to ensure that International Girls in ICT Day bridges the gender gap in technology and equips girls with the necessary skills to thrive in the digital world.

The benefits of Cisco’s programming extend far beyond the students who take part. As Aurelia Takacs, Learning and Development Consultant, Cisco, and Community Member, WISE EMEA, reflected:

‘Throughout my 15 years at Cisco, being both a Girls in ICT Day Lead and volunteer over the years in our Brussels and other EU sites has been a highlight for me not only professionally, as an advocate of girls in STEM and in inspiring our next generation of women tech leaders, but also personally. I’ve seen in real-time the positive impact it has had on my own 13-year-old daughter, who has participated in these events since she was eight years old, and how it truly helps break down stereotypes and biases that girls develop at a young age.’