The inauguration ceremony of "Fit for the future" project by Plan International Vietnam and partners in Hanoi.

In many countries, however, girls still lag behind boys in terms of access to and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs). Barriers such as gender discrimination, lack of confidence, language difficulties, low literacy and lack of time and money continue to prevent girls and young women from studying and working in Information and Technology field.

Nowadays, in Vietnam in particular and around the world in general, there is a severe gender imbalance in the Information and Technology field: men account for 70-80% while women only account for about 20-30%. It has been shown that women has many advantages in the field such as flexibility in dealing with issues, multitasking, better communication skills, creativity.

In response to the International Girls in ICT day (April 25), Plan International Vietnam, joining with FPT Polytechnic College and REACH, organized the “Fit for Future” project launching event, with the aim to encourage girls and women to study and work in Information and Technology field.

The launching event had the participation of more than 100 guests from domestic and foreign organizations, businesses and 300 information technology students at REACH and FPT Polytechnic College.

The project is designed to promote opportunities for young women to study and work in the information technology field in Vietnam.

It will be implemented over 3 years from April 2019 to August 2021 with the total budget provided by the Adecco Group.

Dong Thi Nga (middile) is one of thousands of disadvantaged girls coming from poor area of Vietnam, who have changed their lives and stepped into the promising IT industry.

According Plan International Vietnam, the project will focus on key fields, including developing market-oriented 6-month web coding courses and 12-month IT courses; mobilizing disadvantaged youth, especially girls into training program; providing learning opportunities for youth aged 18 to 30 with IT skills ready to work; setting up and maintaining a business network as well as mentorship and alumni support system; changing social norms and practices in girls capacity in IT sector.

The project will see the participation of about 1,6000 disadvantaged youth and families nationwide. Among which, 800 youth (about 50% female) will enroll in quality IT training courses; about 720 graduates (90% of enrollment) are introduced to quality job opportunities through job placement and bussiness network strengthening.

The Fit for future project launching event is one of the 90 events and programs in “247 Journey for Girls Get Equal” to help fighting for girls' rights. The journey lasts for more than 200 days, start in March with International Women's Day and end in October with International Day of the Girl.

The journey has been kicked off with 'Safety for girls = Safety for everyone' booth in the launching event of 'Year of Action for Women and Children's Safety' on March 6 in Hanoi, continued by communications events on equality for girls happening in 47 schools of Ha Giang, Lai Chau, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Kon Tum provinces, belong to the 'Gender Responsive School' project./.

M.Phuong