Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
Turks and Caicos, May 2, 2025 – In celebration of the inaugural Girls in ICT Day Speech Competition, Hon. E. Jay Saunders, Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy for the Turks and Caicos Islands, delivered a stirring address that underscored the importance of inclusion, innovation, and female leadership in the digital age. Held on May 1, 2025, the event embraced the theme “Girls in ICT – Inclusive Digital Transformation,” and brought together students, educators, and community leaders in support of advancing girls in the field of information and communication technology.
“It is a true honour to join you today,” Saunders began, commending the organisers, teachers, parents, and especially the young participants for being part of a movement that he said was not only essential but urgent. “The future of technology must be inclusive,” he declared. “And that future will be brighter, smarter, and more equitable when girls and young women are empowered to lead in ICT.”
Saunders spoke passionately about the need to break down barriers that have historically excluded women from science and technology, highlighting the contributions of several trailblazing women who have shaped modern digital society. Among them were Dr. Gladys West, whose mathematical work made GPS possible; Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code; Jamaican tech entrepreneur Ingrid Riley; environmental engineer Dr. Maya Trotz; and Dr. Marian Croak, a Jamaican-American whose work in VoIP technology powers modern communication platforms.
“These women prove that from academia to entrepreneurship, from the Caribbean to Silicon Valley, when women are included in tech, we all benefit,” he said.
He encouraged the girls in attendance to view themselves not as future participants in the tech world, but as current and future leaders of it. “You are not just the users of technology,” he emphasized. “You are the future creators of it.” Saunders urged them to envision how they could build apps for mental health support in schools, design platforms that connect Caribbean entrepreneurs to global markets, develop smarter AI for public services, and lead innovations in renewable energy.
With references to tech icons like Apple’s “Think Different” campaign and MIT Media Lab founder Nicholas Negroponte’s quote “The best way to predict the future is to invent it,” Saunders delivered a clear call to action: create fearlessly, build boldly, and innovate inclusively.
“Think beyond what’s already been done,” he advised. “Innovation happens when you bring your full self to the table—your culture, your identity, your experiences as young women in the Caribbean.”
His remarks concluded with a powerful message of support and encouragement: “I support you, and I celebrate you. You belong in ICT. The future needs your voice, your vision, and your genius. When girls rise in tech, everyone rises.”
Girls in ICT Day in the Turks and Caicos Islands was not just a celebration—it was a declaration of intent. With leaders like Minister Saunders championing inclusive innovation, the path is being paved for a more diverse and dynamic future in technology, led by the bright minds of young women across the Caribbean.
