Girls’ Day 2026: 299 Companies Open Doors to 10,600 Girls

Girls' Day: Showcasing the Power of Women in Tech and IT

On April 14, 299 companies across the Netherlands in the fields of technology and IT will welcome over 10,600 girls aged 10 to 15 for Girls’ Day. The initiative aims to highlight the excitement and diversity of careers in technology and IT, and to underscore the importance of increasing female representation in these critical sectors.

Why Tech and IT Need More Women

Technology and IT are indispensable to the future of the Netherlands, driving economic growth, national security, and the energy transition. To secure this future, the sector urgently needs more women. Currently, only one in six professionals in tech and IT is female.

The Importance of Girls’ Day

The demand for technical talent is rising, yet a significant portion of available talent remains untapped. By engaging more women in tech and IT, companies can build more diverse teams that foster innovation and better reflect society’s needs.

Benefits of Diversity in Tech and IT:

• Boosts innovation through diverse perspectives
• Creates more inclusive technology that serves everyone
• Unlocks untapped talent and reduces skill shortages

Despite these benefits, the proportion of women in the sector remains low. At the current rate of growth, it will take until 2080 for women to fill 40% of technical roles.

But the impact of this day is clear from the results from last year. VHTO organizes Girls’ Day every year and last year:

• Girls rated Girls’ Day 2025 an average of 7.6 out of 10.
• 28% showed increased interest in visiting a tech or IT company.
• 26% expressed a greater desire to learn more about tech and IT.
• 28% felt more confident that they could work in tech or IT themselves.

These figures highlight the importance of Girls’ Day in providing practical career orientation at a young age, especially in fields where girls are less likely to naturally explore opportunities. This initiative makes a real difference.

The more girls see women as role models in tech and IT, the more normal it becomes for women to work in these fields.

A Call to Action

Girls’ Day is not just about inspiration. It’s about creating lasting change. By exposing young girls to the possibilities in tech and IT, the initiative hopes to break down stereotypes and encourage more women to pursue careers in these vital industries.

Photo credit: @irianahardjo.pictures

_{Published on Coalition website: April 4, 2026}