Advancing Women's Leadership in EU Public ICT

The EU Directorate-General for International Partnerships has launched a new global initiative to promote women’s leadership in the public Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. The initiative aims to empower women leaders in public ICT to shape gender-inclusive digital policies, serve as role models for younger generations, and strengthen the inclusion of women in digital transformation.

In today’s rapidly digitalising world, integrating a gender perspective into digital policies is more important than ever. Despite progress, women remain significantly underrepresented in digital and leadership roles within public institutions. This continues to sustain inequalities and limits the sector’s ability to respond to the diverse needs of society. The initiative focuses on three strategic pillars: building the capacity of decision-makers to mainstream gender equality in digital policies; improving access to education for women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM); and combating technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

With a budget of over €15 million, the initiative is co-funded by the EU, France, Estonia, Germany, Belgium and Latvia. It is coordinated by Expertise France and implemented by a consortium of six EU Member State agencies from Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Latvia and Spain. The initiative was launched during an event bringing together high-level representatives from the EU and its Member States. The event also officially marked the start of work on the next EU Action Plan on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in External Action (2028–2034), with the launch of a public stakeholder consultation.

https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/eu-and-member-states-launch-global-initiative-advance-womens-leadership-public-ict-2026-03-19_en

PILLAR 1 —gender-responsive digital policy

Public digital systems are often presented as neutral tools, but in practice they are shaped by the values, assumptions, and priorities of those who build them. A gender-responsive approach means asking essential questions from the start: Who can access this platform? Who may be excluded by language, cost, connectivity, or design? Does this service reflect the everyday realities of women and girls, especially those in underserved communities? By bringing more women into leadership and decision-making roles, governments are more likely to create systems that answer these questions seriously.

PILLAR 2—expanding STEM opportunities for women and girls

Long-term foundation of digital inclusion. Leadership does not begin in the boardroom or ministry office; it begins in classrooms, training hubs, mentorship networks, and early opportunities to imagine a future in technology. If girls are not supported to enter science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, the public sector talent pipeline will remain unequal. Investing in women’s pathways into STEM is therefore not simply an education issue. It is an investment in stronger institutions and more representative public leadership.

PILLAR 3—addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence

Brings much-needed attention to one of the most urgent barriers to women’s full participation in digital spaces. Online harassment, cyberstalking, non-consensual image sharing, hate speech, and other forms of digital abuse continue to silence women and push many out of public life, professional spaces, and leadership roles. A digital future cannot be inclusive if women are expected to participate in systems that do not protect their dignity or safety. Any serious agenda for digital transformation must confront this challenge directly.