The theme focuses on innovative ways in which gender advocates can advance gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in the areas of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure.

A document obtained from the United Nations Women by the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday explained that the achievement of the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires transformative shifts.

“On March 8, 2019, global and local gender advocates would celebrate a future in which innovation and technology creates unprecedented opportunities for women and girls to play an active role in building inclusive systems, efficient services and sustainable infrastructure to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs and gender equality,” UN Women noted.

The UN Women said integrated approaches and new solutions, particularly when it comes to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls must be the concern of all.

It said based on current trajectories, existing interventions will not suffice to achieve a Planet 50-50 by 2030. Innovative approaches that disrupt “business as usual” are central to removing structural barriers and ensuring that no woman and no girl is left behind.”

The UN Women noted that innovation and technology provide unprecedented opportunities, yet trends indicate a growing gender digital divide and women are under-represented in the field of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and design.

“It prevents them from developing and influencing gender-responsive innovations to achieve transformative gains for society. From mobile banking to artificial intelligence and the internet of things, it is vital that women’s ideas and experiences equally influence the design and implementation of the innovations that shape our future societies,” the UN Women stated.

It would look to industry leaders, game-changing start-ups, social entrepreneurs, gender equality activists, and women innovators to examine the ways in which innovation can remove barriers and accelerate progress for gender equality, encourage investment in gender-responsive social systems, and build services and infrastructure that meet the needs of women and girls.