Inspired by the women lifting up the Girls in ICT Day

It can be hard sometimes to capture the collective power of the women on World Pulse. I'm not always very articulate at helping someone who is new to this sisterhood see the tidal waves of impact that build here. But this morning I got an extra special glimpse. This morning, about 20 of the 100 World Pulse Digital Ambassadors gathered together for a video call to exchange ideas on how to support one another during Covid-19 and create even bigger impact than we could alone.

I had a feeling that I was sitting among titans. The women who joined the call shared how they are shouldering responsibilities of entire communities. They are setting up phone centers and directing domestic violence reports to police for quick action. They are ensuring migrant workers are able to access food, even if they don't have government-issued ID. They are producing and distributing masks and hand sanitizers to vulnerable populations. They are ensuring women farmers are able to continue safely producing and distributing food. One of the Digital Ambassadors joined the call from a fishing boat where she shared with us the ancestral practices of fishing are keeping her community safe and the elders engaged and active as the leaders and providers.

It is because of these leaders that we can celebrate Girls in ICT Day this year. They are creating a new future and a new reality for generations to come.

As one of the speakers said so well, "We cannot wait for governments to work for us. We have to find the solutions in our own communities."

And then after the call ended, we started getting notes from other Digital Ambassadors who were unable to join. One leader couldn't join because she was on a radio program during that time speaking about the increase in domestic violence during this time. Another was speaking to a group of community leaders on the gendered impact of Covid-19.

It was just one hour on a Thursday, but it showed me a glimpse of the power that this community possesses to transform our global systems for the better. The world might feel like it is shut down. But the women on World Pulse show us that our movement is growing in energy every day.

Happy Girls in ICT Day! Celebrating each of you!