CTU Network of Women

10/06/2026

Caribbean Leadership on the Global Digital Stage 🌎

The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) is pleased to announce that Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton has been approved as the incoming Vice President of the EU-LAC Network of Women Leaders in Digital Policy.

Following her nomination by the CTU, the Presidency of the EU-LAC Network of Women and the Technical Secretariat have formally confirmed Dr. Myers-Hamilton's appointment after consultations with the European Commission and relevant stakeholders.

This appointment represents an important milestone for the Caribbean and reflects the region’s growing leadership and influence in shaping digital policy at the international level.
Through Dr. Myers-Hamilton’s leadership, Jamaica, supported by the CTU, will serve as Vice-President of the Network, working alongside Ecuador in its role as President to advance collaboration and governance across the EU-LAC digital ecosystem.

The CTU extends its sincere congratulations to Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton on this achievement and looks forward to strengthening cooperation with partners across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe to promote inclusive, innovative, and gender-responsive digital policies.

10/06/2026

📢 Join the CTU-NoW WhatsApp Channel - https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb82ZckL7UVVvD3s8X0B

Stay informed and connected with the latest updates from the Caribbean Telecommunications Union Network of Women (CTU-NoW).

Join our WhatsApp Channel to receive:�
✅ Announcements on upcoming events, webinars and leadership opportunities�
✅ Updates on CTU-NoW activities and initiatives�
✅ Information on capacity-building programmes and resources�
✅ Regional and international opportunities relevant to women in ICT and the digital sector

Follow the channel today and be part of a growing community dedicated to empowering women across the Caribbean digital ecosystem.

11/05/2026

In this the 1st edition for 2026 (Q1/26) of In the k-NoW, the CTU-NoW proudly celebrates one such leader whose journey reflects purpose, resilience and impact. Our featured Caribbean Woman in ICT, Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton, embodies the spirit of transformational leadership within the ICT landscape.

Dr. Myers-Hamilton has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing telecommunications, spectrum management, digital inclusion and regional development. Her remarkable journey serves as both an inspiration and a reminder that leadership rooted in purpose has the power to create meaningful and lasting change.

This edition also explores several timely and critical topics relevant to our region. Through these stories, In the k-NoW continues to amplify Caribbean voices, showcase regional achievements and foster dialogue on the issues that matter most to us.

As you journey through these pages, we hope this issue inspires more women and girls to boldly pursue opportunities in ICT and to recognise that their voices, ideas and leadership are essential to shaping the Caribbean of tomorrow.

Welcome to the Q1/2026 edition of In the k-NoW.

https://ctu.int/in-the-k-now-newsletter-12-q1-26/

29/04/2026

28/04/2026

✨CTU appoints Ms. Nicole M. Watkins as Vice-Chair of the CTU Network of Women (CTU-NoW)✨

The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Nicole M. Watkins as Vice-Chair of the CTU Network of Women (CTU-NoW).

Nicole M. Watkins is the Director of the Electronics Communications Sector (ECS) at the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) in The Bahamas. In this role, she leads a multi-disciplined team responsible for the regulatory oversight of the sector.

An Attorney‑at‑Law by profession, Nicole brings more than 16 years of experience in electronic communications, with a career spanning regulatory, policy, and government affairs roles in major licensees. Her journey reflects determination, adaptability, and leadership in environments where women have traditionally been underrepresented.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Nicole is passionate about nation building, Caribbean pride, mentorship and women’s empowerment. She strongly believes in creating opportunities for young women and girls to see themselves as leaders in law, technology, and public service. As a regulator and advocate, she is driven by a commitment to improving lives, by providing ubiquitous, universal access to connectivity to all.

10/04/2026

🎙️✨ Don’t miss Episode 37 of ECTEL Bytes!

🌍From the Caribbean to the global stage! Join us for a special episode of ECTEL Bytes featuring Mrs. Michelle Grell-Bereaux, International Relations Advisor at URCA in The Bahamas 🇧🇸
As we celebrate Girls in ICT Day, we spotlight the powerful role women play in shaping ICT policy across the region and beyond. 💼📡

📅 April 22nd
🕑 2:00 PM (Eastern Caribbean time)
📍 On all our social media platforms and at www.ectel.int
NTRC Dominica NTRC.lc NTRC SVG URCA Bahamas Caribbean Telecommunications Union ITU

18/03/2026

🌟 Celebrating Caribbean Leadership in Global ICT Development 🌍

We proudly congratulate Michelle Grell Bereaux on her nomination to the Advisory Board of the Network of Women in the ITU Development Sector (NoW in ITU-D) for the 2026–2029 term.

With over two decades of experience in ICT policy, telecommunications reform, and digital transformation across the Caribbean, Michelle has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing people-centred digital development and inclusive innovation.

Currently serving as International Relations Advisor at the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) in The Bahamas, she continues to play a pivotal role in amplifying Caribbean perspectives in global policy discussions and strengthening regional participation in international fora.

Her appointment reflects not only her outstanding professional achievements, but also the growing influence of Caribbean expertise in shaping global digital development agendas. It further underscores the importance of empowering women and young professionals to lead in the digital transformation of small island developing states.

👏 We celebrate this milestone and look forward to her continued contributions in advancing inclusion, collaboration, and innovation across the ICT sector.

23/02/2026

Now Available: 11th Edition of In the k-NoW! 📖

In this issue Q4/25, we feature Secretary-General Bernadette Lewis, a woman of many firsts. Read her compelling story of leadership and accomplishment, shaped by faith, resilience and an unwavering passion for the Caribbean region she is committed to serving.

We invite you to explore this latest edition and to continue supporting the work of the CTU in driving change in ICT and digital policy.

📙Read more:https://ctu.int/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/FINAL-Q4-25-IN-THE-K-NOW-MAGAZINE-17022026-2.pdf

Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation

11/02/2026

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026: Building Inclusive Futures Through Integrated Innovation

The United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science, observed annually on 11th February, will mark its 11th Assembly in 2026 under the theme:

“Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls.”

The 2026 observance places strong emphasis on the integration of traditionally siloed disciplines to accelerate sustainable development, advance gender equality in artificial intelligence, and strengthen economic empowerment for women and girls. Central to the discussions will be the need to ensure that emerging technologies — particularly AI — do not deepen existing gender divides, but instead serve as tools for inclusive growth and opportunity.

Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17, the Assembly will explore how interdisciplinary collaboration can deliver practical, evidence-based solutions in areas such as water and energy access, resilient infrastructure, inclusive cities, innovation ecosystems, and global partnerships.

The 2026 programme also reflects a strong implementation focus. Complementary events led by organisations such as UNESCO and the Femmes@Numérique initiative are advancing the related theme “From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap.” These discussions will spotlight real-world applications in cybersecurity, health technologies and AI, with particular attention to policy coherence, skills development and workforce participation.

Together, these themes reinforce a shared global message: achieving inclusive digital and scientific futures requires not only innovation, but intentional action to place women and girls at the centre of technological, social and economic transformation.

Let us participate in our numbers. You are invited to register for the UNESCO event at

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16/01/2026

✨CTU appoints Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton as Chair of the CTU Network of Women (CTU-NoW)✨

The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton as Chair of the CTU Network of Women (CTU-NoW).

Dr. Myers-Hamilton stands as a beacon of innovation, determination, and progress in Jamaica’s telecommunications sector and across the wider Caribbean. With more than three decades of experience in the field, she has not only witnessed the region’s digital transformation but has played a defining role in shaping it—guided by a steadfast commitment to ensuring that the benefits of the digital age are accessible to all, particularly those historically marginalised by the digital divide.

In her role as Managing Director of Jamaica’s Spectrum Management Authority (SMA), Dr. Myers-Hamilton has demonstrated exceptional regulatory leadership and strategic foresight. Her tenure has been marked by transformative reforms, including adjustments to the Aggregate Spectrum Cap and the introduction of modernised Spectrum Pricing Policies, which have significantly influenced the telecommunications landscape and service provision in Jamaica.

Beyond regulation, her leadership reflects a holistic vision of digital development—embracing infrastructure, education, and digital literacy as foundational pillars of socioeconomic advancement. Her agile stewardship of the SMA during periods of disruption, including the accelerated adoption of virtual platforms, cloud-based systems, and online modalities for work and learning, underscores her forward-thinking approach and capacity to convert challenge into opportunity.

Dr. Myers-Hamilton’s conviction that digital literacy is not a privilege but an economically accessible right aligns strongly with the mission of the CTU Network of Women. As Chair, she brings visionary leadership, regional insight, and a deep commitment to empowering women and girls to participate meaningfully in the Caribbean’s digital future.

The CTU looks forward to working with Dr. Myers-Hamilton as the CTU-NoW continues to strengthen women’s leadership, influence policy, and advance inclusive digital transformation across the region.

✨ Congratulations to Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton on this well-deserved appointment. ✨