International Women’s Day 2026: Connecting Women in Digital event

On Monday 9 March, following International Women’s Day, policymakers, educators, industry leaders and researchers gathered in Brussels with a shared message: Europe cannot afford to leave half of its digital talent unused.

The Connecting Women in Digital event brought together voices from across the continent to address the persistent gender gap in ICT and digital careers.

Representing the EU STEM Coalition, Fleur Korte and Rolf Schreuder joined high-level speakers and stakeholders to explore how Europe can accelerate progress and ensure more girls and women participate in the digital economy.

A Skills Shortage Europe Cannot Ignore

Demand for digital and STEM professionals continues to grow rapidly across Europe, yet women remain significantly underrepresented in ICT roles. Participants stressed that closing this gap is not only a matter of fairness but a strategic necessity.

A more gender-balanced workforce would strengthen Europe’s innovation capacity, boost competitiveness and enhance digital resilience at a time of rapid technological transformation. 

From Early Education to Career Pathways

Discussions focused on practical, system-wide solutions to bring more girls and women into digital fields. Speakers highlighted the importance of early exposure to STEM education, visible female role models, inclusive learning environments and stronger collaboration between education providers, industry and policymakers.

The consensus was clear: isolated initiatives are not enough. Meaningful progress requires coordinated action across the entire talent pipeline, from primary school to leadership positions. 

Renewing Europe’s Commitment

A central theme of the event was the development of a renewed Women in Digital Declaration, building on the 2019 Ministerial Declaration and supporting the objectives of the European Commission’s Digital Decade.

Participants emphasized that this moment represents a critical opportunity to translate political ambition into concrete measures that deliver measurable change across Member States.

A Crucial Moment for Europe’s Digital Future

For the EU STEM Coalition, the discussions reinforced the urgency of sustained action. Encouraging girls to pursue STEM pathways and ensuring inclusive digital education systems are essential steps toward a stronger and more resilient European digital ecosystem.

The event concluded with a shared sense of momentum and responsibility. As Europe navigates rapid technological change, unlocking the full potential of its talent pool will be key to long-term prosperity and competitiveness.

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/eu-stem-coalition 
and International Women’s Day 2026: Closing the gender gap in digital | Shaping Europe’s digital future

_{Published on STEM Coalition.eu: March 16, 2026}