UNICEF and GVGC Partner to Empower Girls in Tech and Gaming
– 2 min read
UNICEF and the Global Video Game Coalition (GVGC) have announced a partnership to equip adolescent girls with essential digital and leadership skills. Launched as part of the Game Changers Coalition, the initiative aims to address the gender digital skills gap and empower girls to pursue careers in tech and gaming.
The partnership was unveiled in Geneva at the launch of the Game Changers Coalition earlier this month, co-hosted by UNICEF’s Office of Innovation and GVGC representatives. The event marks the start of a one-year joint plan to scale technical collaboration and expand the program’s impact across multiple countries.
UNICEF and GVGC aim to empower girls, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, by addressing a pressing issue: the 15 billion US-Dollar economic opportunity gap adolescent girls face annually due to lack of internet access and digital skills. With 90 per cent of modern jobs requiring digital competencies, this initiative aims to transform girls’ futures by equipping them for roles in high-growth industries.
Dr. Marie-Claire Isaaman, CEO of Women in Games, moderated a panel at the event, highlighting challenges for girls in gaming alongside industry leaders like Tim Scott (Roblox), Jaimie Vargas (EA), and Raphaëlle Lalo (Ubisoft). Speaking on the initiative, Isaaman said, "There is an urgent need to help young girls everywhere acquire the skills they need for today’s modern digital economy, so we wholeheartedly support this brilliant campaign by UNICEF and the Global Video Games Coalition – and we were delighted to take part in the Game Changers event."
Over the next three years, the Game Changers Coalition aims to reach three million girls, complementing UNICEF’s broader Skills4Girls initiative, which seeks to provide 26 million girls worldwide with education and skills development opportunities.
GVGC unites leading video game companies, including Electronic Arts, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Ubisoft, and Roblox, to create a more inclusive and diverse digital future. Tatjana Sachse, GVGC Lead Spokesperson, emphasized the industry’s commitment, stating, "The video game industry is proud to support UNICEF’s mission of promoting gender equality and empowering young girls. By creating new opportunities for girls to learn and lead, we’re helping build a more inclusive and diverse future for our industry and beyond."
UNICEF’s Director of Innovation, Thomas Davin, echoed the transformative potential of this partnership, saying, "The partnership between UNICEF and Global Video Game Coalition can be truly catalytic for improving outcomes for millions of adolescent girls around the world. It exemplifies how strategic, multisectoral collaborations can lead to transformative social impact."
"EA is proud to support the Global Video Game Coalition and its sponsorship of UNICEF’s Game Changers Coalition," says EA’s Kerry Hopkins, Senior Vice President of Global Affairs. "This initiative is a powerful opportunity to equip adolescent girls with the skills, leadership, and confidence they need to thrive in a tech-driven world. As an industry leader, we are committed to ensuring that the next generation of innovators, creators, and leaders are equipped to lead the future of the video games industry."
As the initiative moves forward, it will continue to build partnerships with private companies, governments, and civil society organizations, including Women in Games, which plans to focus on “Girls in Games” as part of its 2025 agenda. Together, these stakeholders aim to close the gender gap in tech, inspire girls worldwide, and shape the future of the gaming and tech industries.
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