The UN theme for International Women's Day 2023 is "Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality". Photo: UNW

In his message to women around the world, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guteress highlighted the role of women in technological innovation and digital transformation. He said technology can open up educational pathways and opportunities for women and girls.

“Today, women make up under a third of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and maths. And when women are under-represented in developing new technologies, discrimination may be baked in from the start. That is why we must close the digital divide and increase the representation of women and girls in science and technology."

"Women's exclusion from the digital world has shaved an estimated 1 trillion USD from the GDP of low- and middle-income countries in the last decade — a loss that could grow to 1.5 trillion USD by 2025 without action,” Guteress said.