State Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Tatjana Matić took part in the forum “Women in Technology” held at the United States Chamber of Commerce (AmCham). She spoke of Ministry programmes aimed at increasing inclusion of girls and women in the information-communication technology sector, in the field of education and business, as well as other programmes contributing to the beneficial and safe use of information-communication technologies.
“In the field of ICT we all see the speed of progress for these new technologies, taking over all walks of life, study, business… The state has recognized a generation gap, between young generations that are born digital and the responsible segment of society that needs to catch up to the new generations in mastering digital skills, and thereafter properly direct them towards the beneficial and safe use of such skills. Therefore, the priority for the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications is the development of ICT in the field of education, intended to lead to digital transformation in all areas of society”, noted Tatjana Matić.
She added that prejudice about information-communication technologies as a “male field” must be overcome, primarily through the education of the youngest generation. As the main projects implemented by the Ministry with the aim of supporting the digital transformation of the educational system she listed connecting schools to the Academic Network of the Republic of Serbia, teacher training for implementing classes using information-communication technologies, the “Digital Class” competition, as well as the initiative to introduce computer science into the mandatory curriculum and the modernization of this subject.
“Especially when speaking of increasing the level of information literacy in children and youth, issues of gender should not be of key importance, we should work instead on achieving an overall accord among society and political leaders to give this issue absolute priority. I must add that, despite prejudice, a large number of women are involved in this sector at the public administration level. However, their position is not determined by gender affiliation, but expertise”, said State Secretary Tatjana Matić.
Matić reminded that not only is there a lot of potential for employment in this field, but also that most occupations today are impossible to implement without knowledge of information-communication technologies. “Therefore the Ministry recognized the need for additional training of women aimed at acquiring and developing digital skills and digital literacy, and provided two million dinars for this year for training women in ICT. We believe one way to achieve equal opportunities is precisely through training women in information-communication technologies, a condition for success in work, as well as personal life today”, added Tatjana Matić.
Matić emphasized the role of the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications in the project of the Global Network of Women in ICT, established under the auspices of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), started at the initiative of the Republic of Serbia in 2010. The project involves the promotion of gender equality through the use of information-communication technologies, implemented as part of celebrating the international “Girls in ICT Day” every fourth Thursday in April. This year “Girls in ICT Day” is celebrated on 28 April.
Participants at the forum “Women in Technology”, organized by the Economic Affairs Section of the US Embassy to Serbia and the United States Chamber of Commerce, included representatives of the public and private sector in the field of digital economy: Nataša Sekulić (IBM), Diana Gligorijević (Telegroup), Lisa Giuliano (Embassy of USA) and Zoja Kukić (Startit). Those present were address by way of video-messaging by the US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker.
