Brussels, 29/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 25 April, as every year at the same time, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) celebrated Girls in ICT Day 2013, an initiative aiming to encourage girls and young women to consider a career in the technology sector. In a speech before the European Parliament to mark the occasion, Commissioner for the Digital Strategy Neelie Kroes stressed the critical lack of women in the information and communication technology sector. “Women represent less than a third of those working in the sector and are disproportionately present in positions of little responsibility”, she said. By way of example, she referred to the 15 finalists for the title of “digital entrepreneur of the year” organised by the Commission, all of whom were men (see EUROPE 10835). School has a role to play by offering its pupils more ICT material, in addition to traditional formats, and encouraging more girls to choose to study scientific studies. Society in general also needs to change, by no longer offering little girls fictional stories solely featuring “princesses and ponies”. The commissioner feels that the lack of women in ICT should be seen as an opportunity: the outlets are enormous and jobs well paid at a time when the sector is seriously suffering from a lack of applicants. “Women can earn 9% more in ICT, with zero margin in the salary gap between men and women. What other sector can say the same (…)? The industry needs their talents, and our economy needs their innovation”, said the commissioner. (IL/transl.fl)