The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), organized a ceremony to celebrate the Network of Women in the Telecommunications Sector.
The event was witnessed by hundreds of women from delegations of 193 countries participating in the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023. This celebration is one of the international traditions followed by the ITU in significant global events, including WRC-23 organized in Dubai from 20 November to 15 December 2023. The conference aims to review radio regulations and the international treaties governing the use of radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbits.
The Network of Women in the Telecommunications Sector is an initiative originating from the efforts of the International Telecommunication Union. Its primary focus is to promote gender balance. It highlights the significant role of women in the broader telecommunications sector, including ITU-affiliated areas like radio communications. The Network aims to encourage women to actively and effectively participate as delegates, presidents, and vice presidents in ITU’s events, including WRC-23.
In his speech to the Network, His Excellency Engineer Mohammed Al Ramsi, Deputy Director-General of TDRA for the Telecommunications Sector, and the President of the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23), highlighted the crucial role played by women in the global telecommunications sector. He noted that the UAE is among the leading countries in supporting and empowering women in this sector, recognizing their capabilities in achieving milestones and propelling forward the digital transformation based on the latest ICTs. He stated, "As the World Radiocommunication Conference approaches its conclusion, we can affirm that this edition marks a new milestone in the accomplishments of women in the telecommunications sector. It is important to highlight that the woman leadership of the WRC and the ITU, exemplified by Secretary-General Her Excellency Doreen Bogdan-Martin, serves as a testament to this progress. Throughout the conference duration, we observed the distinguished involvement of women in study committees, discussions, and the management of participating delegations. This involvement makes us feel a sense of pride. In the UAE, we are pleased with this achievement, which resonates with the UAE’s esteemed status, as a result of limitless support from the leadership since the establishment of the ITU.
The event featured a speech by His Excellency Mario Maniewicz, Director of the ITU Radiocommunication Bureau. He praised the role of women in humanitarian issues related to the ICT sector, with a focus on radio communications and their significance in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution. The women members in the Network belong to delegations from 193 countries participating in the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023.
The event included honouring the regional group leaders of the Network of Women in the Telecommunications Sector who took part in this year's conference. Honouring included female members of the Radio Advisory Group (RAG) concerned with gender equality, acknowledging their steadfast efforts in advancing the success of the conference agenda.
The guidance program of the Network of Women, both in a general sense and specifically at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23), involves providing support to direct and guide female participants, helping them get nominated and actively participate in various committees and teams. This is based on accomplishments of numerous participants throughout the ITU’s history and its diverse conferences. Prominent instances include the appointment of Her Excellency Doreen Bogdan as the Secretary-General of the ITU, being the first time a woman holds this position in the ITU’s history. Additionally, Mrs. Carol Wilson assumed the role of the elected President of the Radiocommunication Assembly (RA-23). She is the first woman to hold this position in history of the ITU.
TDRA's involvement in the Network of Women in the Telecommunications Sector (NOW) event signifies its commitment to the UAE Government’s strategy for the overall empowerment of women and TDRA’s strategy for empowering women in the telecommunications and digital government sectors. This commitment is realized through the improvement of policies and the implementation of initiatives that prioritize gender equality.
It is worth noting that the percentage of female employees at TDRA is 42% out of the total workforce.
Source: https://tdra.gov.ae/en/media/press-release/2023/tdra-organises-a-meeting-for-the-network-of-women