Comment Neelie (Kroes)

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Today we face an economic crisis that threatens us all.sentence permalink

We need to invest in jobs for the future, growth for the future, hope for the future. Those are imperatives you just can't ignore at the moment.sentence permalink

We're about to hear a discussion: would the world look the same if it had been, not Lehman Brothers, but Lehman Sisters?sentence permalink

That's a very interesting question. I don't know the answer.sentence permalink

But one thing is clear to me. Europe is not in a good place right now. And accepted ways of thinking aren't going to get us anywhere new.sentence permalink

Not in terms of women's equality. And nor in terms of a stronger, more competitive economy.sentence permalink

When it comes to how society treats women, we've come a long way. When I was starting out as a Dutch member of parliament, I remember listening to a debate led by another deputy: older and of course male.sentence permalink

I didn't agree with him and had a serious political point to make against his argument.sentence permalink

Yet, when I intervened to make that point, the only response he made was to complement me on my looks and clothes.sentence permalink

Not engaging with the issues that mattered to my and our country, but just engaging in everyday sexism.sentence permalink

Well. I didn't stand for it then. And I wouldn't stand for it now.sentence permalink

Today we're not in the 1970s any more. Thank heavens. Young women today don't have to stand for that kind of thing – not as often, anyway. They have a wider horizons, greater opportunities, fewer people telling them what they can and can't do as women.sentence permalink

But look a bit closer and there are still many areas where, for one reason and another, women are missing out.sentence permalink

The sector I am now responsible for is a case in point.sentence permalink

Information and Communications Technology is an amazing, innovative platform. The tools you have at home, at work, or even in your pocket, are changing everything we do, what we do and how we do it, in every area you can think of.sentence permalink

And nowhere do you see the many applications of that technology, more than in the sector of web startups.sentence permalink

It is among Europe's web entrepreneurs that I see the most innovations, transformations, inspirations.sentence permalink

Most of all, it's where I see the hope for our future: to create ideas, generate jobs, and open up opportunities.sentence permalink

Europe needs to better support those startups: in terms of culture, resources, and recognition.sentence permalink

The Startup Manifesto, prepared by a team of top European entrepreneurial talent, contains some clear ideas for what we can do that. 22 actions — with 6000 signatures, and counting.sentence permalink

Creating growth and jobs through a better environment for all entrepreneurs – whatever their gender.sentence permalink

Yet women in particular are missing out. Especially among ICT sector entrepreneurs: fewer than one in five of whom are women. Only three percent of women with a degree have it in ICT, compared to nearly ten percent of men.sentence permalink

Then, it gets worse. Only one in seven women with an ICT degree then go on to work in the ICT sector; and many leave the sector mid-career. So you have not enough women among managers and decision-makers. And not enough women among the communities that matter to entrepreneurs – like angel investors and venture capital.sentence permalink

And let’s not forget the girls and the young women out there. This week is European code week. The young woman who launched is Slovenian.sentence permalink

She wants to get everyone in Europe coding, because is it a skill that we will all need. She has mobilised over 200 coding activities across our continent involving kids, teachers, coders, startups, parents and grandparents. Coding is fun, and she wants everyone to know it.sentence permalink

But she does not know how to get her local politicians interested. And she has told me she may not vote in the next European elections – because she believes that we, the politicians, are not listening to her.sentence permalink

Let me remind you why this matters.

Exactly 120 years ago women were first given the national vote, in New Zealand. That is the anniversary we celebrate today.sentence permalink

That change was made following a long campaign. The petition for female suffrage contained tens of thousands signatures, all handwritten onto a scroll 250 metres long. Kate Sheppard physically took it to the New Zealand Parliament and dramatically unrolled it, right there in the chamber.sentence permalink

That was a success: universal suffrage followed later that year.sentence permalink

But today we have more modern tools for political campaigning. Digital tools.sentence permalink

From brave young girls blogging for girls' right to education: like Malala Yousafzai, awarded the Sakharov Prize just last week.sentence permalink

To social media tools that give citizens a new way to interact with their representatives.sentence permalink

To online campaigns that can give a platform to disparate, deserving political causes.sentence permalink

In short, digital is taking over politics and giving a new voice to the people, and to women.sentence permalink

But politics is just one example. This tool opens up so many new opportunities: from connecting with distant family, to new ways to promote your bright business idea. No longer a tool for teenage boys in lonely bedrooms, it matters for everyone.sentence permalink

From hoteliers to health workers, doctors to designers, whatever you're doing, digital tools can probably help you build new, vibrant and active communities. That's why ICT skills are the new literacy.sentence permalink

Meanwhile the EU Internet economy is growing fast. And generating jobs in its wake.sentence permalink

Indeed, soon the ICT sector could face a shortfall of nearly one million workers, because not enough people have the right skills.sentence permalink

And already the European app economy alone employs 800,000 people. Some of them working to become the next multi-millionaire Mark Zuckerberg or Martha Lane Fox. Others just pursuing a hobby or supporting their community.sentence permalink

That change is good for our economy, and good for our society. But it also means that, if you're not on board with digital, you're in danger of missing out on a huge opportunity.sentence permalink

That worries me. Our society needs change and innovation. And the digital sector can provide it like no other.sentence permalink

So, if we're missing women, we're missing out.sentence permalink

Every woman in Europe needs to seize this opportunity.sentence permalink

Because every woman working in this sector brings a triple boost; for themselves, for their employers, and for the economy.sentence permalink

Women in the ICT sector earn 9% more than in other sectors – and it's a great career, fun and challenging, varied and creative.sentence permalink

Organisations that are more gender inclusive get a 34% higher return on investment. And, if women held digital jobs as frequently as men, the annual gain for the European economy would be around 9 billion euros.sentence permalink

9 billion euros! Just imagine how many computers we can buy for schools with that money!sentence permalink

In short: I am glad that women are trying to improve their communities by going into politics. But this is only the first step. Women are not taking up the opportunities available in ICT.sentence permalink

And that worries me. It worries me that they do not feel they have the freedom and confidence to work in this sector.sentence permalink

It worries me that they might feel excluded, or that the sector is not for them. It worries me that our economy is underperforming as a result.sentence permalink

Ladies and gentlemen, it's time to tap that huge talent pool.sentence permalink

Thank you.

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