WITSI Members provided support and advice throughout the day, many of whom are alumni of the Junior Professional Program
12 MAY 2025
The International Girls in ICT Day Conference 2025 drew an enthusiastic crowd of 250 participants, including 40 members and speakers from the Women in Information Communication Technology of the Solomon Islands (WITSI) and 210 students and teachers from secondary schools across Honiara and Guadalcanal Province.
The theme “Girls in ICTs: Bridging ALL Divides for an Inclusive Digital Transformation,” aimed to inspire, educate, and empower young women in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and highlighted the importance of breaking down barriers to ensure equal digital access and opportunities for all.
Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton, said equal opportunities and greater involvement of girls and women in ICT lead to greater diversity, innovation, and economic growth while addressing gender disparities.
“Australia is committed to supporting the Solomon Islands Government to achieve gender equality outcomes, and our approach to the ICT sector is a core part of this commitment,” High Commissioner Hilton said.
The event featured inspiring keynote speakers, including Letitia Masaea, President of WITSI, and guest speaker Selu Kauvaka, President of the Tonga Women in Technology Society. Their contributions to the ICT field and advocacy for women’s empowerment lit the spark of ambition in the young women present.
The conference provided participants with hands-on experiences, mentorship opportunities, and career talks from successful women in the industry to nurture interest in ICT and promote the participation of young girls in technology.
Many of the WITSI members present at the conference were alumni of the Junior Professional Program (JPP), an Australian-supported internship program, which seeks to improve the skills base in the ICT sector by providing early career pathways for young Solomon Islanders. Each cohort welcomed into the program involves a 50-50 gender split.
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