“Bridging the gender gap in ICT is not just about increasing female participation…”

Professor Sanjeev K. Soobhee, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mauritius

• “We cannot talk about digital transformation without talking about the participation of women,” Minister Avinash Ramtohul says.

• “If we are creating the future, women must be part of that creation,” Anishta Babooram, Junior Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, states.

At the International Women’s Day 2025 roundtable held last Thursday at the University of Mauritius, Avinash Ramtohul, Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, stressed that “we cannot talk about digital transformation without talking about the participation of women,” while Vice-Chancellor Professor Sanjeev K. Soobhee reminded attendees that bridging the gender gap means ensuring women “play a central role in shaping the future of technology.” Junior Minister Anishta Babooram reinforced this vision by stating that “women must be part of the creation of the future,” urging greater representation of women and girls in the ICT sector.

The roundtable formed part of the wider national and international agenda to accelerate progress on women’s empowerment, particularly in fields traditionally dominated by men.

The Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Dr. Avinash Ramtohul, underscored the need for equitable participation in digital transformation. “We cannot talk about digital transformation without talking about the participation of women. It is a journey we must undertake without discrimination or distance,” he said.

While noting that the ICT sector in Mauritius has shown growth, Dr. Ramtohul highlighted areas of concern. Referencing a 2019 study conducted by the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC), he reported that the local ICT workforce consisted of 7,838 women compared to 8,324 men – figures that appear relatively balanced. However, he cautioned that these numbers vary significantly across different types of organisations. Furthermore, a 2020 Higher Education Commission study revealed a more troubling statistic: only 5.6% of female students were enrolled in ICT programs, compared to 16% of male students. “This imbalance in education pathways today could lead to wider gaps in the sector tomorrow,” he said.

Dr. Ramtohul also addressed the emerging risks associated with digitalisation, particularly online abuse. “Cyber violence remains a growing concern. In the UK alone, in 2024, over 2,300 of 2,900 reported cases involved women. Locally, we are working with the Ministry of Gender to develop policies and increase awareness to protect those who are vulnerable,” he explained.

He went on to reiterate his Ministry’s commitment to supporting women in ICT through several initiatives:

• Reforming education to promote STEM among girls and challenge stereotypes.
• Encouraging inclusive access to accelerator programs and entrepreneurship funding.
• Establishing mentoring schemes and engaging with international partners like the ITU and the UN.

“From developers to managers to end users, ICT must be adopted in an equitable fashion between men and women,” he concluded.

Representing academia, Professor Sanjeev K. Soobhee, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mauritius, spoke about the institution’s role in driving inclusive change in the digital and academic fields. “Bridging the gender gap in ICT is not just about increasing female participation – It’s about placing women at the centre of shaping the future of technology,” he argued.

Professor Soobhee outlined the university’s multi-pronged approach:

• Through the Faculty of Information, Communication and Digital Technologies, students are being trained in fields like software development, AI, cybersecurity, and data science.
• Gender-focused research is integrated into programs at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, covering themes such as gender and citizenship, democracy, and societal dynamics.
• The university has received international recognition through a gender grant from the Association of Feminist Universities, which supported capacity-building for women academics.

“Our academics are analysing gender disparities in STEM involvement and contributing evidence-based insights to policy development. We are also supporting other ministries – including Housing, Food Security and Fisheries – in integrating gender into national projects,” the Vice-Chancellor added.

He closed his remarks by quoting Marie Curie: “We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that thing must be attained. This is my message to all women: believe in what you do, and your conviction will take you far – for the betterment of society.”

Following the Vice-Chancellor’s address, Anishta Babooram, Junior Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, highlighted the historical and global significance of International Women’s Day.

“This day represents the culmination of long and difficult years of struggle for women’s human rights. It is also a celebration of women’s resilience, their extraordinary contributions, and our collective commitment to gender equality.”

She acknowledged the efforts of the UN system and national partners for focusing this roundtable on the digital sector, an area in which, she noted, women continue to be underrepresented.

“Today, more than 50% of the population is female. Women should be everywhere –including in ICT. If we are creating the future, women must be part of that creation,” she argued.

Minister Babooram referred to a recent International Women’s Day celebration organised by her Ministry, during which women in STEM, security forces, and sports – sectors once dominated by men – were honoured.

She further emphasized that her Ministry is committed to embedding gender equality across all sectors through aligned action: “We are guiding the Ministry of ICT to develop its own gender cell, sectoral gender policy and action plan. This is all part of the implementation of the national gender policy.”

A gender monitoring mechanism has also been established to ensure that gender considerations are embedded in projects and programs.

Looking ahead, she highlighted International Girls in ICT Day, to be observed on April 25, as a key opportunity to encourage girls to develop tech skills from a young age, which is essential for achieving future economic independence.

“We cannot speak about economic empowerment without addressing women’s involvement in technology. Although progress has been made, women remain underrepresented – especially in leadership roles. To make progress, you need to show up, listen, and contribute. And today, you have done that,” the Junior Minister concluded.