BY JOY OFASIA
The Women in ICT Solomon Islands (WITSI) held a special celebration event for Girls ICT Day 2026 at the Mendana Kiano Hotel in Honiara today, bringing together students, professionals, and partners to encourage more girls into the digital world.
Speaking at the event, WITSI President Leitia Masaea said there are many important reasons to celebrate the day, especially for young women in Solomon Islands.
“Since 2018, WITSI has proudly commemorated International Girls in ICT Day. There are many reasons why we celebrate this day, and for WITSI, this platform has allowed us to build upon five important pillars,” she said.
She explained that the five pillars include promoting different ICT career paths, improving digital skills for everyone, supporting mentorship for junior members, empowering women to take leadership roles in entrepreneurship, and strengthening collaboration between government, schools, and institutions.
Leitia Masaea said the day is not only about celebration but also about learning and reflection.
“This is a day of learning, reflecting, and networking under the theme ‘AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future,’” she said.
She also acknowledged the support of major sponsors, including the Australian Government through the Australian Solomon Islands Partnership for Justice, ICT Services under SIG, SATSOL, Solomon Submarine Cable, Solomon Power, South Pacific Oil, B-Mobile, Bank South Pacific, and Solomon Telekom.
“None of this would be possible without our incredible partners. Our deepest gratitude goes to our major sponsors,” she added.
The theme highlights how Artificial Intelligence is changing the world in areas such as healthcare, education, business, and public services. Leaders at the event stressed that girls must be included in this transformation to ensure fairness and innovation.
International Girls in ICT Day is observed worldwide to encourage girls and young women to explore opportunities in Information and Communication Technology.
The event brought together female students from schools across Honiara, who listened to guest speakers and joined interactive sessions. Activities included panel discussions, cyber safety awareness talks, games, and prize giveaways, making the celebration both educational and fun.
