With an emphasis on accessibility and online safety,  Orange Sierra Leone Foundation, UNICEF,  Plan International, The Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation – DSTI collaborate with the Government of Sierra Leone to commemorate the International Day of Girls in ICT which is marked annually on the fourth Thursday of April.

The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Access and Safety” hosted at Orange Headquarters Hill Station, which is witnessed by a series of activities with the need to promote technology and career opportunities for young women and girls in Sierra Leone.

Moderated by a girl-child, girls from different learning institutions, districts, and regions, had an opportunity to interact with digital and ICT experts, and national stakeholders and were eventually introduced to social media advocacy skills, blog writing, and staying safe online.

Also present at the event was the minister of youth affairs and a representative from the ministry of information and communications.

Young ladies currently enrolled at the orange digital center showcased their different websites developed from the coding lessons received from the digital learning center.

Speaking on the occasion, Plan International Safeguarding Rep, Esther Elliott Nyuma underscored the importance of protecting girls and young people on the safe use of the internet and improvement of the lives of children and young girls through better communications and educational systems for our young people. “For us at Plan, we are always committed to ensuring that girls always learn, lead, decide and thrive”