The International Telecommunications Union, ITU, is worried that instead of more participation, more and more young women are shying away from the study of Information and Communications Technology ICT.

The union said it would unravel what is behind the sharp downwards trend in young women opting to study information and communication technology even as ICT qualifications offer good job prospects and higher_than_average remuneration.

It averred that in the US, for example, the proportion of girls studying ICT courses has dropped from a mid_‘80s high of 37% to just 29% today, and is still falling. The scenario is also playing out in other countries of the world including African countries.

Consequent upon that, the Union has slated a meeting in its Geneva headquarters next week, to debate the issue. The duo of ITU’s Senior Communications officer and Chief, Media Relations and Public Information, Toby Johnson and Sarah Parkes noted that with a panel comprising Ministers, top educators, industry experts, media and young students, the debate will look at how ICTs are taught in schools and universities, how girls perceive careers in technology and what is informing their life choices.

The debate would also look at the cultural and economic barriers mitigating against this and perhaps proffer solutions on possible ways to encourage more girls into the technology field.