Empowering Females Through ICT
TATT Hosts Tech4Girls: Build Your Online Store!
By The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago
LINKAGE Q1 (2023) - Woman's Leadership: Embrace Equity
T ech4Girls: Build Your Online Store was the theme of a free one-day virtual information and communication technology (ICT) skills boot camp attended by 223 Caribbean women 18 and over hosted by the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) on Saturday, 22nd April 2023
The event, held in recognition of International Girls in ICT Day 2023, was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Transformation (MDT), CANTO, GSMA, Verizon, RSC, Tobago Information Technology Limited (TITL) and Equals Global Partnership.
Girls in ICT Day is an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) backed initiative that seeks to support the empowerment of women in information and communication technologies (ICT) through knowledge and programmes.
Cynthia Reddock-Downes, Chief Executive Officer, TATT said, “We were thrilled to offer this seminar on building an online store using Big Cartel,” She added, “Online commerce is becoming an increasingly important digital skill, and we believe that Big Cartel is an excellent platform for small businesses and individuals who want to sell their products online but may not have the resources or knowledge to build a custom website… By providing a platform for learning and practical application, TATT aims to inspire and equip these women with the skills to help them succeed in the digital age.”
The website development workshop, without the use of code, sought to empower and equip aspiring solopreneurs and small business owners with the necessary skills to establish and grow their online businesses. Big Cartel, a drag-and-drop e-commerce site designed specifically for such entrepreneurs, played a significant role in this endeavour.
As part of the boot camp, a website competition was held, attracting numerous creative website entries from the participants. The eligibility criteria for winning the coveted one-year subscription plan were that the individuals must be nationals of Trinidad and Tobago and be at least 18 years old.
Fifty fortunate women from Trinidad and Tobago with the best website submissions based on the criteria, were selected for a subscription plan from Big Cartel. This prize will undoubtedly give them the critical resources needed to establish and run their successful online stores, showcasing their unique products and services to a global audience.
Other exciting prizes were generously sponsored by CANTO and the three local telecommunications services providers – Bmobile, the Digicel Foundation, and Flow. Six lucky winners were randomly selected and awarded a six-month Bmobile mobile plan, and another six were randomly selected to receive a smartphone device. These prizes will enhance the winners’ digital connectivity and contribute to their overall success in the online business world.
Further enriching the prize pool, courtesy of CANTO, were three Caribbean nationals who were randomly selected, on the day, to receive a US$100 Amazon gift card each. The winners of these special prizes were Alana Hasan from Guyana and Chantelle Shedded and Amelia Calame, both from Jamaica. Their dedication and efforts in the Tech4Girls boot camp were recognised, and this additional reward will incentivise them to continue their entrepreneurial journeys.
Participants had the opportunity to hear inspiring remarks from several esteemed female ICT leaders such as Mrs. Cynthia Reddock-Downes, Chief Executive Officer, TATT; Ms. Abby Knowles, Vice President, Information Technology, Verizon; Mrs. Teresa Wankin, Secretary General, CANTO; and Ms. Natasha Ottley, Business Transformation Specialist, Ministry of Digital Transformation.
Ms Charlie Ann St Cyr, the Founder and Director of Girls with Roots, captivated the audience with her search engine optimisation (SEO) presentation. Recognising the importance of visibility and discoverability in the digital landscape, Ms St Cyr shared valuable insights and strategies to enhance website rankings, increase organic traffic, and reach target audiences effectively. Her session inspired attendees to harness the power of SEO as a tool for business growth and online success.
This Tech4Girls event marks a significant milestone in the journey of these women as they embark on the exciting path of entrepreneurship, armed with the knowledge gained from the Tech4Girls boot camp and the support of industry-leading organisations. This event was a testament to the power of collaboration, technology, and personal and professional growth opportunities.
Gender-specific data from the ITU reveals that girls have fallen further behind boys in learning basic ICT skills. According to the ITU’s Facts & Figures 2022 flagship study, 63% of women used the Internet globally in 2022, compared to 69% of men. However, even while gender parity is becoming more prevalent, 259 million fewer women than men have access to the Internet.
In TATT’s National Digital Inclusion Survey Report, 2021, 51.4% of the respondents were female. However, of those, only 65% of the female respondents could use ICT devices, such as desktop computers, laptops, and mobile phones. Interestingly, only 41% of these individuals had standard ICT skills. These figures reflect the continued need to promote inclusivity, diversity, and female leadership within the local ICT sector.
This event exemplified TATT and our partners’ commitment to fostering gender equality and empowering females in the field of ICT.
The impact of the Tech4Girls workshop extends beyond the event itself. TATT aims to create a ripple effect that will inspire a new generation of female leaders in ICT by equipping women with the tools and knowledge to build their online stores.
TATT maintains its commitment to gender equality and inclusive development, and events like Tech4Girls pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future for women in the ICT sector.