Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this special episode of the ITU Future Innovators
podcast, celebrating the 15th International Girls in ICT Day https://www.itu.int/women-and-girls/girls-in-ict/international-girls-in-ict-day-2026/overview/, Ellen Taylor (Policy Analyst at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada) hosts a powerful conversation on the theme 'AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future'. Ellen sits down with Malkia John, a Kenyan engineer, feminist tech advocate, and ITU160 Gender Champion https://wtisd.itu.int/2025/itu160-gender-champions/
.
Malkia shares her inspiring journey, from bypassing her father’s phone password at age five to founding Sauti Salama, an innovative platform using AI and digital tools to strengthen gender-based violence (GBV) response systems in Kenya. Discover how she merged the worlds of "hard" engineering and social advocacy to create a safer digital future. If you want to learn how AI can be harnessed for social good and why local lived experiences must ground global tech discussions, this episode is a must-listen!
ITU160 Gender Champions is an initiative launched in 2025 on the occasion of ITU’s 160th Anniversary that recognizes and supports young women who are contributing to digital development and transformation worldwide. With support from the Government of Canada, the initiative provides a platform for 10 young women leaders (ages 18–25) to share their work, engage with global stakeholders, and help shape the future of digital connectivity.
👉 Explore more about ITU's work for women and girls: https://www.itu.int/initiatives/gender-equality/ / equalsintech.org
🔔 Find the audio episodes of the ITU Future Innovator
podcast
on:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2kOoZz9UskxulMdyadWlBU?si=fe0d1c42013c4e1a
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/ch/podcast/itu-future-innovators/id1574552765?l=en-GB&i=1000763037982
Soundcloud: on.soundcloud.com/IY4XGrGCLcTNOTErha
#digitalinclusion #girlsinict #girlsintech #AIforGood #innovation #younginnovators #youthintech
ITU is the United Nations agency for digital technologies, driving innovation together with 194 Member States and a membership of some 900 private sector entities and academic institutions. Established over 150 years ago in 1865, ITU is the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to cutting-edge wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, oceanographic and satellite-based earth monitoring as well as converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world.
The materials contained on this podcast channel are for information purposes only. ITU expressly disclaims all liability to any person in respect of anything and in respect of the consequences of anything said or omitted to be said wholly or partly in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this podcast channel. ITU is not responsible for any third party content which may be accessed through this podcast channel. ITU interviews and soundbites may be edited for content and duration. The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the ITU.
ITU holds copyright in the information available on this podcast channel, unless otherwise stated. Copyright in any third-party materials found on this podcast channel must also be respected.
In this special episode of the ITU Future Innovators
podcast, celebrating the 15th International Girls in ICT Day https://www.itu.int/women-and-girls/girls-in-ict/international-girls-in-ict-day-2026/overview/, Ellen Taylor (Policy Analyst at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada) hosts a powerful conversation on the theme 'AI for Development: Girls Shaping the Digital Future'. Ellen sits down with Malkia John, a Kenyan engineer, feminist tech advocate, and ITU160 Gender Champion https://wtisd.itu.int/2025/itu160-gender-champions/
.
Malkia shares her inspiring journey, from bypassing her father’s phone password at age five to founding Sauti Salama, an innovative platform using AI and digital tools to strengthen gender-based violence (GBV) response systems in Kenya. Discover how she merged the worlds of "hard" engineering and social advocacy to create a safer digital future. If you want to learn how AI can be harnessed for social good and why local lived experiences must ground global tech discussions, this episode is a must-listen!
ITU160 Gender Champions is an initiative launched in 2025 on the occasion of ITU’s 160th Anniversary that recognizes and supports young women who are contributing to digital development and transformation worldwide. With support from the Government of Canada, the initiative provides a platform for 10 young women leaders (ages 18–25) to share their work, engage with global stakeholders, and help shape the future of digital connectivity.
👉 Explore more about ITU's work for women and girls: https://www.itu.int/initiatives/gender-equality/ / equalsintech.org
🔔 Find the audio episodes of the ITU Future Innovator
podcast
on:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2kOoZz9UskxulMdyadWlBU?si=fe0d1c42013c4e1a
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/ch/podcast/itu-future-innovators/id1574552765?l=en-GB&i=1000763037982
Soundcloud: on.soundcloud.com/IY4XGrGCLcTNOTErha
#digitalinclusion #girlsinict #girlsintech #AIforGood #innovation #younginnovators #youthintech
ITU is the United Nations agency for digital technologies, driving innovation together with 194 Member States and a membership of some 900 private sector entities and academic institutions. Established over 150 years ago in 1865, ITU is the intergovernmental body responsible for coordinating the shared global use of the radio spectrum, promoting international cooperation in assigning satellite orbits, improving communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishing the worldwide standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communications systems. From broadband networks to cutting-edge wireless technologies, aeronautical and maritime navigation, radio astronomy, oceanographic and satellite-based earth monitoring as well as converging fixed-mobile phone, Internet and broadcasting technologies, ITU is committed to connecting the world.
The materials contained on this podcast channel are for information purposes only. ITU expressly disclaims all liability to any person in respect of anything and in respect of the consequences of anything said or omitted to be said wholly or partly in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of this podcast channel. ITU is not responsible for any third party content which may be accessed through this podcast channel. ITU interviews and soundbites may be edited for content and duration. The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the ITU.
ITU holds copyright in the information available on this podcast channel, unless otherwise stated. Copyright in any third-party materials found on this podcast channel must also be respected.
