President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has called on girls to take the lead in the Maldives’ digital development, speaking on the occasion of the international “Girls in ICT Day.”

In his address, the President highlighted this year’s theme — “AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future” — emphasizing the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence in strengthening the country’s education system, healthcare sector, and governance framework.

President Muizzu stressed that empowering girls in technology goes beyond professional advancement. He described it as a critical step toward eliminating gender inequality and ensuring equal opportunities for all in a digital society. Under the government’s “Maldives 2.0” policy, efforts are focused on empowering girls in areas such as computer programming, robotics, and the digital economy — with the goal of transforming them from mere users of technology into creators and innovators.

First Lady Sajida Mohamed also marked the occasion with a special message, encouraging women to pursue careers in ICT. She called on all stakeholders to work together to remove barriers facing women in the technology sector and to build an inclusive digital future for all.