This Tuesday, April 23, the Lycée des Arts et Métiers de Luxembourg was transformed into a real crossroads of exchange, inspiration and commitment, just on the day before the official Girls in ICT Day 2025. The event brought together students, digital experts, ministerial representatives and education stakeholders around a common objective: to strengthen the presence of girls and women in the field of IT and digital technology.
The conference began with a welcoming speech from Fabrice Roth, Director of the LAM, who recalled how the school environment plays a crucial role in orientation and opening up to the careers of the future. This statement was pertinently reinforced by Yuriko Backes, Minister of Gender Equality and Diversity, who insisted on the importance of “creating an inclusive ecosystem from primary school to break down the barriers that girls still encounter in technological fields”. She praised initiatives like those of WIDE ANDCO, which highlight inspiring career paths and support young talents.
Elisabeth Margue, Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister, in charge of Media and Connectivity, said that “equality in digital professions is not an option but a priority”, emphasizing that the ambitions of the Digital Decade 2030 cannot be achieved without true parity in digital skills and careers.
During the afternoon, the presentation of the study carried out by WIDE ANDCO highlighted the structural obstacles to the presence of women in the IT sector in Luxembourg. Among the revealing figures: only 18% of young girls feel well informed about careers in IT, and 66% have never attended an IT activity in their high school. The study also shows the persistence of gender stereotypes in educational guidance, teaching perceived as rigid and uncreative, as well as a blatant lack of visible female role models in the technological ecosystem.
The round table then allowed several women from varied backgrounds – engineer, developer, lawyer specializing in AI and Game Design student – to share their experiences. They spoke of the obstacles overcome, the importance of perseverance and the joy of seeing their skills transform the world today. Rich and inspiring exchanges which sparked many questions from the young people in the room, curious to imagine themselves, too, in these careers.
WIDE ANDCO also presented the “Girls in Digital Week”, initiative set up as part of the project Code4Europe and bringing together more than 40 European partners with the aim of empower, inspire and celebrate the next generation of young people Europeans, especially girls, so that they can flourish in an inclusive digital world, through fun and learning activities, hackathons, webinars and other events for students, teachers and also parents.
WIDE ANDCO also announced the next dates for career guidance sessions that will be : 20th May, 3rd June and 17th June 2025 . These are the chance to meet with the WIDE AND CO team to get support on job search and CV. Women can also learn about study paths or internship opportunities.
The event ended around a networking buffet, encouraging exchanges between students, speakers and partners, in an atmosphere resolutely focused on the future. One thing is certain: the seeds of change have been planted, and the digital future will be built with girls.
