Connecting Women in Digital | International Women's Day 2026

Why It Matters

Closing the digital gender gap is not just an equality issue; it directly boosts Europe’s economic growth and strategic autonomy, making inclusive policies essential for a competitive digital future.

Key Takeaways

• EU women hold only 19% of ICT roles.
• Closing gender gap could add €16 billion to EU GDP annually.
• 2019 Women in Digital declaration needs renewed commitment post‑COVID.
• New EU directives target board gender quotas and pay transparency.
• Programs like Girls STEM, Women Tech EU aim to boost female talent.

Summary

The European Union convened a high‑profile forum on International Women’s Day to examine the persistent gender gap in the digital sector. Speakers from the European Commission, Parliament and industry highlighted that women account for just 19% of ICT specialists, a figure that has barely moved since 2014, despite the sector’s rapid growth. Key data points underscored the economic stakes: closing the digital gender gap could generate up to €16 billion in additional GDP each year. The 2019 Women in Digital Ministerial Declaration, adopted before the pandemic, is being revisited as the EU pushes toward its 2030 target of 20 million ICT specialists with balanced gender representation. New legislative tools—including the 2023 Pay Transparency Directive and the upcoming 2026 board‑quota rule requiring 40% female non‑executive directors—aim to dismantle structural barriers. Executive Vice President Henna Birkunen and MEP Elena Sancho‑Morillo emphasized that policy must be backed by data and concrete actions. They cited successful national examples such as Estonia, Romania and Bulgaria, where early STEM education and cultural shifts have lifted women’s participation to 27%, contrasted with lagging states like Malta at 14%. Initiatives such as Girls STEM, EU Code Week, Women Tech EU and the Women for IT network were presented as scalable models to nurture talent and entrepreneurship. The forum concluded that Europe’s digital competitiveness hinges on fully leveraging its female talent pool. Without accelerated, intersectional policies and sustained investment in education, mentorship and inclusive workplace cultures, the EU risks falling behind in innovation and strategic autonomy. The event calls on policymakers, businesses and civil society to translate commitments into measurable outcomes, positioning women at the centre of the continent’s digital transformation.

Original Description

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To mark International Women’s Day, Connecting Women in Digital is hosting a high-level event in Brussels with the participation of Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and MEP Elena Sancho Murillo. The event will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to discuss concrete actions needed to accelerate progress in getting more girls and women into ICT.

As part of the European Commission’s commitment to the Digital Decade targets — including reaching 20 million ICT professionals and increasing women’s participation in the sector — this event highlights the urgent need to close the gender gap in digital. With women representing only 19% of ICT specialists in Europe, strengthening inclusion is essential to boost innovation, competitiveness, and Europe’s digital future.

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