(Bandar Seri Begawan, 17th) The Minister of Transport and Communications, Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary, stated that women currently make up about 34% of the workforce in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sectors across various industries, a 4% increase since 2020.
The minister made this statement in a press release in conjunction with World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) on Friday.
He said the rising percentage of women working in ICT reflects their increasing participation, representation, and leadership in shaping the digital economy as innovators, entrepreneurs, technology experts, and policymakers.
The minister pointed out that Brunei has long implemented inclusive education policies that provide equal learning opportunities for women and girls, enhancing their knowledge and skills, enabling them to work in various professional fields including ICT.
He said, "In today's increasingly interconnected world, digital technology is transforming how we live, learn, work, and communicate. As these technologies continue to evolve, we must work together to ensure that everyone has equal access to digital resources and development opportunities."
"We recognize that ICT plays a crucial role in empowering every member of society, especially women and girls. With the right access and skills, they can drive meaningful change in families, communities, and even broader fields."
However, the minister also admitted that in many parts of the world, girls and women still face significant challenges in accessing and effectively using ICT. Factors such as gender bias, language and cultural differences, economic barriers, and underrepresentation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and career fields continue to be major obstacles to their full integration into the digital economy.
He emphasized that the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry (AITI) in Brunei will continue to promote various outreach and educational initiatives to advocate for digital inclusion and gender empowerment. Among them, the "Digital Skills for All" program is a national initiative aimed at providing essential digital skills to all sectors of society.
"Through practical workshops and community engagement, this program helps seniors and vulnerable groups, including women, to integrate safely and confidently into the digital world. These efforts help bridge the digital skills gap and ensure no one is left behind in the nation's digital transformation process."
The minister noted that AITI also annually celebrates "Girls in ICT Day," a global initiative launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that aims to encourage and support girls and young women to pursue ICT-related fields.
He said this year's event theme is "Girls in ICT for an inclusive digital transformation," and the activity invited ninth-grade girls from public schools to participate in a hands-on workshop titled "The Art of Digital Content Creation: Building Meaningful Content with Social Impact."
"Participants explored how digital storytelling can influence perceptions and drive positive social change, and they also learned the fundamental knowledge of creating ethical and impactful content."
This project has sparked creativity in many students and piqued their interest in ICT-related careers.
The minister finally emphasized, on the occasion of World ICT Sustainable Development Day in 2025, let us reaffirm our collective responsibility to create truly meaningful opportunities for everyone to thrive and contribute positively in the digital age.
"These initiatives reflect Brunei's commitment to building a truly inclusive digital ecosystem, one where talents from all sectors of society are nurtured and empowered, regardless of gender, age, or background."
The minister made this statement in a press release in conjunction with World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) on Friday.
He said the rising percentage of women working in ICT reflects their increasing participation, representation, and leadership in shaping the digital economy as innovators, entrepreneurs, technology experts, and policymakers.
The minister pointed out that Brunei has long implemented inclusive education policies that provide equal learning opportunities for women and girls, enhancing their knowledge and skills, enabling them to work in various professional fields including ICT.
He said, "In today's increasingly interconnected world, digital technology is transforming how we live, learn, work, and communicate. As these technologies continue to evolve, we must work together to ensure that everyone has equal access to digital resources and development opportunities."
"We recognize that ICT plays a crucial role in empowering every member of society, especially women and girls. With the right access and skills, they can drive meaningful change in families, communities, and even broader fields."
However, the minister also admitted that in many parts of the world, girls and women still face significant challenges in accessing and effectively using ICT. Factors such as gender bias, language and cultural differences, economic barriers, and underrepresentation of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and career fields continue to be major obstacles to their full integration into the digital economy.
He emphasized that the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry (AITI) in Brunei will continue to promote various outreach and educational initiatives to advocate for digital inclusion and gender empowerment. Among them, the "Digital Skills for All" program is a national initiative aimed at providing essential digital skills to all sectors of society.
"Through practical workshops and community engagement, this program helps seniors and vulnerable groups, including women, to integrate safely and confidently into the digital world. These efforts help bridge the digital skills gap and ensure no one is left behind in the nation's digital transformation process."
The minister noted that AITI also annually celebrates "Girls in ICT Day," a global initiative launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) that aims to encourage and support girls and young women to pursue ICT-related fields.
He said this year's event theme is "Girls in ICT for an inclusive digital transformation," and the activity invited ninth-grade girls from public schools to participate in a hands-on workshop titled "The Art of Digital Content Creation: Building Meaningful Content with Social Impact."
"Participants explored how digital storytelling can influence perceptions and drive positive social change, and they also learned the fundamental knowledge of creating ethical and impactful content."
This project has sparked creativity in many students and piqued their interest in ICT-related careers.
The minister finally emphasized, on the occasion of World ICT Sustainable Development Day in 2025, let us reaffirm our collective responsibility to create truly meaningful opportunities for everyone to thrive and contribute positively in the digital age.
"These initiatives reflect Brunei's commitment to building a truly inclusive digital ecosystem, one where talents from all sectors of society are nurtured and empowered, regardless of gender, age, or background."