The British Council very recently organised a panel discussion titled ‘Digital Skills – Can They Change Girls’ Lives?’ at a hotel in the capital, says a press release. The discussion considered disparity between men and women in terms of access to the internet and smartphone use in developing countries, and how accessing both can have a significantly positive impact on these economies.  Chowdhury Mufad Ahmed, additional secretary, Ministry of Education; Shahin Ahmed Chowdhury, director general, Department of Women Affairs; Mahmuda Rahman Khan, senior programme development specialist, USAID Bangladesh and Dr Gitiara Nasreen, professor, Gender, Media, and ICT Expert, University of Dhaka in the discussion as panelists. The panel addressed vital areas pertaining to the topic including the challenges that young women and girls face to gain relevant digital skills and the initiatives that are currently being taken to address and resolve the issue.