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UNRWA proudly joins the global community in marking World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD), with a focus on advancing digital gender equality.
Celebrated annually on 17 May, WTISD marks the founding of the International Telecommunication Union in 1865 and emphasises the transformative role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in overcoming global challenges, particularly the gender digital divide.
UNRWA has made significant progress in ICT integration across its services. These include telemedicine services, digital health records, and mobile health apps that improve healthcare access for refugees. The e-learning platform helps enhance staff learning opportunities. Through self-registration on the e-UNRWA portal, Palestine Refugees can access services and assistance digitally. Additionally, digital cash assistance and mobile-based aid distribution, using data to identify vulnerable communities, have streamlined the delivery of essential support.
This year’s theme, “The Pressing Need to Advance Digital Gender Equality,” highlights the crucial role of ICTs in empowering women and girls, especially from vulnerable communities like Palestine Refugees.
“At UNRWA, digital transformation is central to how we deliver services to Palestine Refugees,” said Mumtaz Tamim, UNRWA Director of the Digital Impact, Technology and Innovation Department. “We are committed to leveraging innovative technologies to improve education, healthcare, and other essential services, with a focused effort on bridging the digital gender gap. On this World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering women and girls by equipping them with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed in a digitally connected world.”
UNRWA’s ongoing investment in ICT infrastructure and services underscores the Agency’s dedication to using technology to enhance service delivery and create sustainable impacts, particularly for women and girls.
Miral, a 14-year-old UNRWA student from the West Bank, said: "Digital education has not only brought information closer to us, but also made it clearer, easier, and more aligned with each student’s learning style. Each of us now has their own unique way of understanding and absorbing knowledge."
On this day, UNRWA renews its pledge to ensure that no Palestine Refugee — regardless of gender — is left behind in the digital age.
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