Sisters of Code and Caring for Cambodia Celebrated Girls in ICT Day in Siem Reap
- Sisters of Code
- May 2
- 5 min read
On April 27, 2025, Sisters of Code and Caring for Cambodia co-organized an event on the topic of "Digital Skills for Women in the 21st Century" to celebrate International Girls in ICT Day 2025 in Siem Reap for the first time. This topic was chosen to reflect on this year's global theme set by the International Telecommunication Union: "Girls in ICT Day: Bridging ALL Divides for Inclusive Digital Transformation."
The event was held on Sunday morning at Paññasastra University of Cambodia (PUC), Siem Reap. This first-ever celebration of International Girls in ICT Day in Siem Reap province welcomed a total of 21 participants, including 17 females and 4 males.
The event featured three key presentations, followed by a group discussion where participants were invited to reflect on their digital learning journey, the challenges they’ve faced, and the way forward in pursuing digital skills or careers in technology.
Presentation 1: "Digital Tools for Studies and Office Work"
Ms. Sokseksa Eam, an English Teacher & Teacher Trainer at the Teacher Development and Support Organization (TDSO), spoke on "Digital Tools for Studies and Office Work." She introduced a variety of digital tools that could help participants streamline their academic and professional lives.
Sokseksa shared productivity tools for staying organized, along with online libraries like Internet Archive, CORE, and Google Books for research. She also highlighted citation managers such as Zotero and Mendeley, which simplify the academic writing process. To enhance language skills, Sokseksa introduced apps like Duolingo and Memrise, which offer an interactive way to learn new languages.
The session also covered collaboration tools such as Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams, which are essential for effective teamwork. Hence, communication tools like email management, video conferencing, and instant messaging were discussed as key for professional settings.
By the end of the session, participants gained a deeper understanding of how digital tools can enhance productivity and efficiency in both their studies and work. They also recognized the power of these tools to unlock opportunities for continuous learning, collaboration, and growth in their academic and professional journeys.
Presentation 2: "Building Confidence in Tech Education and Career"
Ms. Ho Hong, Founder of CWE Travel Cambodia, shared invaluable insights on how to build confidence in tech education and career development.
Hong walked participants through her personal journey, revealing how embracing technology helped her overcome the challenges of sales, advertising, and communication. Hong highlighted the importance of digital tools like Capcut, Canva, G-Suite, WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and Messenger, which have become indispensable in her day-to-day work, enabling her to stay connected, organized, and efficient.
One of the key points she emphasized was the importance of being proactive in engaging with technology. She encouraged participants to keep learning, adapt to the changing tech landscape, and use these tools responsibly. By mastering them at a steady pace, individuals can break through barriers and unlock their full potential. Hong also shared her perspective on failure, encouraging attendees to view setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles.
In addition to sharing her experiences, Hong offered practical advice for developing confidence in tech. She spoke about how volunteering in various projects gave her hands-on experience and boosted her self-assurance. She also highlighted the significance of participating in public trainings and workshops, where people not only acquire new skills but also have the chance to grow within a supportive community.
Presentation 3: "Generative AI for Students and Teachers"
Ms. Sung Monet, a TESOL student at PUC Siem Reap and a former Sisters of Code trainer in Generative AI, delivered an engaging and insightful session on "Generative AI for Students and Teachers." With her approachable style and practical knowledge, she inspired participants to see technology not as a barrier, but as a powerful ally in education.
Monet began by guiding the audience through the basics of artificial intelligence, clearly explaining the difference between general AI and generative AI, and why this distinction matters for educators and learners alike. She broke down how generative AI systems are trained, making complex ideas easy to grasp.
A particularly thought-provoking part of the session was her explanation of AI hallucinations. These occur when AI generates information that sounds convincing but may not be accurate. Through real-life examples, Monet helped participants understand how to identify these issues and engage critically with AI-generated content. She also introduced the concept of prompt engineering and guided the audience on how to craft effective prompts to better interact with generative tools.
To support continued learning, Monet shared an AI guidebook for education, available in both Khmer and English. This resource offers teachers and students a practical starting point to explore the safe and thoughtful use of AI in classrooms.
At the conclusion of the presentations, Ms. Rebecca Large, Managing Director of Caring for Cambodia, presented certificates to our three outstanding guest speakers as a token of appreciation for their invaluable contributions.
Group Discussion
Following the presentation sessions, participants joined group discussions where they openly shared the challenges they face in learning and working with technology.
Common concerns included limited English proficiency, slow and costly internet access, and insufficient storage or capacity on personal devices. Many also noted that useful tools are often paid, limited in features, or not available in local languages.
Despite these barriers, participants showed great resilience and creativity in proposing solutions. They suggested using free internet in public spaces such as coffee shops, libraries, or NGO centers, and accessing shared computers available at schools or community centers. They also highlighted the importance of improving English skills and participating in free workshops or training programs on digital tools and artificial intelligence. Most importantly, participants encouraged one another to seek out accessible and user-friendly resources that support their goals in learning and work.
We’re incredibly proud to see the participants’ enthusiasm as they navigated challenges to enhance their digital knowledge and skills.
According to our post-event survey, conducted with 18 participants, the impact of the event was clear. A significant 72% of respondents reported feeling much more confident in using digital tools, while 28% felt somewhat more confident but acknowledged that they still had room to grow.
What’s even more encouraging is the shift in participants’ attitudes toward careers in ICT. Before the event, 50% of participants had already considered pursuing a career in ICT, 33% were unsure, and 17% hadn’t thought about it at all. After the event, 78% of participants reported that they are now more interested in ICT careers, while 22% expressed interest but wanted to explore the field further. It’s incredibly inspiring to see how the event sparked curiosity and motivation for so many to consider ICT careers, and even more gratifying to note that no participant expressed a lack of interest.
The celebration of International Girls in ICT Day is a vital reminder of the immense potential for young girls to contribute to the ICT field. It highlights the importance of encouraging and supporting them in pursuing education and careers in technology. While challenges may exist, the power of collaboration and community will be key in overcoming these obstacles and driving progress toward greater female representation in ICT.
Sisters of Code, in partnership with Caring for Cambodia, is proud to have hosted this event in Siem Reap for the first time. We are committed to continuing our efforts to raise awareness about the importance of tech education and career opportunities for young girls in Cambodia.
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