H.E. Johanna Strömquist, Ambassador of Sweden to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Dr. Rownak Khan, UNICEF Bosnia and Herzegovina Representative, on behalf of the Joint UN Initiative IT Girls, signed an Agreement to the value of SEK 3.7 million (approximately EUR 350,000) to provide further support to the initiative, implemented by UNDP, UNICEF and UN Women.

“The exclusion of women and girls from the tech sector means we are losing half of the world’s talent. We cannot afford that when we urgently need solutions to the many challenges we are facing today. IT Girls provides young women and girls in Bosnia and Hercegovina with an opportunity to reach their full potential and to contribute to a better society for all. That is the reason Sweden has decided to continue to support IT Girls during the next two years.” said H.E. Johanna Strömquist, Ambassador of Sweden to Bosnia Herzegovina.

“IT Girls Initiative aims to increase the number of girls and women with digital and 21st century skills, thus contribute to their economic empowerment, as well as challenge the gender stereotypes around which careers are appropriate for men and for women. The initiative is being implemented through three pillars, the first one aiming at the education sector, the second one working directly with the ICT sector, and the third one focusing on advocacy and promoting an increase in the number of girls in ICT.”, said Dr. Rownak Khan, UNICEF Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Through the joint UN initiative IT Girls, implemented by UNDP, UNICEF and UN Women, at least 10,000 young women will benefit from free webinars through #ITGirlsGoOnline. The initiative now expands to Republika Srpska. In addition, 200 girls and 30 teachers from 10 elementary schools will benefit from high-digital skills training, and 5 IT companies will be supported to revise their workplace standards in line with Women's Empowerment Principles.

Source: https://www.unicef.org/bih/en/press-releases/support-sweden-it-girls-are-growing