How Women in Tech Travelled the Historic Silk Road and Opened the Central Asia Region in Just 18 Months

Central Asia is a region located at the very centre of the world — historically shaped by the Silk Road, where ideas and cultures moved freely across borders.
Today, with nearly 80 million people, a predominantly young population, and rapid investment in digital infrastructure and innovation, the region is entering a new phase of exploration. The growing role of women in technology and leadership reflects a deeper structural shift.
In just 18 months, Women in Tech completed one of its fastest regional journeys across Central Asia, with chapter launches personally supported by Ayumi Moore Aoki, Founder and CEO of Women in Tech Global.

Uzbekistan

The first Women in Tech chapter in Central Asia was launched in Uzbekistan in March 2024.
Led by Director Anna Ambrozevich, the team delivered over 80 initiatives, engaging more than 7,000 participants. The chapter launched programmes such as Women in Tech Talks, I Am Remarkable, Global Voice, AI Boost, the Regional Roadshow, and others, and produced two documentary film episodes featuring real heroines and their families. A strong focus was placed on regional outreach: the team visited all regions of Uzbekistan, reaching over 19 cities beyond the capital.

In 2024, Uzbekistan hosted the Women in Tech CCA Awards in Tashkent, covering Central Asia and the Caucasus. For three consecutive years, representatives from Uzbekistan received the Life Achievement Award.
In 2025, the chapter signed the Osaka Protocol at the Women in Tech Global Summit in Japan and was awarded the Global Youth Engagement Award, marking international recognition of its regional impact.

Kazakhstan

The movement continued in Kazakhstan in September 2024.
Led by Director Assem Bolatzhan, the chapter quickly gained international visibility. Since its launch, Women in Tech Kazakhstan has united over 6,000 participants and built a portfolio of more than 100 initiatives focused on women’s leadership, digital skills, and professional growth in technology.

Key programmes included the AI for Her educational initiative, reaching over 4,000 women nationwide, the Female Founders Support programme for women entrepreneurs and startup founders, the localised international WIFI DX programme, Women in Tech Talks, and a dedicated direction supporting girls in regional areas. An important milestone was the creation of a dedicated Women in Tech space at a university, strengthening the chapter’s long-term infrastructure.

In 2025, Kazakhstan hosted the Women in Tech CCA Awards, reinforcing its role as one of the regional centres of the Women in Tech ecosystem in Central Asia and the Caucasus. The combination of scale, systemic programmes, and regional leadership led to international recognition: Women in Tech Kazakhstan was named Chapter of the Year at the Women in Tech Global Summit in Osaka, Japan.

Kyrgyzstan

In February 2025, Kyrgyzstan joined the journey.
Led by Director Alia Chynybaeva, the chapter delivered a series of large-scale, high-quality events, training sessions, webinars, and workshops throughout the year. 

The chapter opening at AUCA attracted an exceptional audience, with over 1,000 attendees, including speakers and guests from government ministries, commercial banks, councils, and founders of leading national IT companies.
A key milestone was the launch of the Women ICT Frontier Initiative (WIFI DX) — a gender-focused programme supporting women entrepreneurs through business digitalisation and regional digital inclusion.
During its first cohort, 45 women completed the programme and received certifications.

Tajikistan

In September 2025, Tajikistan became part of the journey.

Led by Director Zarina Achilova, the chapter launch received strong institutional backing from senior government stakeholders, including deputy prime ministers and high-level representatives responsible for finance, economic development, investment, and digital infrastructure, as well as international development organisations and financial institutions.
To mark the launch, a three-day regional programme was organised, bringing together leading technology voices from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The programme created a platform for cross-border dialogue on digital transformation, women’s leadership in technology, and innovation-driven entrepreneurship. It also featured a startup pitching session for women-founded ventures, highlighting scalable technology-based solutions with social and economic impact.

One Region. One Team.

What defines Women in Tech in Central Asia is not only the speed of growth, but the way it happened.
The chapters evolved as one region, one team.

Directors learned together, supported each other, and built momentum collectively rather than in isolation.
This unity became especially visible in 2025, when over 40 delegates from Central Asia attended the Women in Tech Global Summit in Osaka — representing different countries, but moving forward with a shared regional voice.

From the historic Silk Road to a new phase of exploration, Central Asia is once again becoming a space of connection — this time through technology, leadership, and global collaboration.
The fifth Central Asian country is already in preparation — stay tuned!

The official launch of Women in Tech® Belgium marked a significant milestone for the tech community in Brussels last week.
Hosted at Campus 19 in BeCentral on May 13th, 2025, the event brought together industry leaders, innovators, and passionate advocates committed to advancing women’s representation in technology.

The evening featured dynamic coding challenges led by “She Love to Code” alongside presentations outlining the chapter’s vision, leadership team, and ambitious plans for the year ahead. Attendees witnessed firsthand the chapter’s core mission: amplifying women’s voices in tech, creating meaningful opportunities for professional growth, and nurturing Belgium’s next generation of tech leaders.

Collaboration was at the heart of the launch, with partners including Stellar Tech, The Nine, The Brilliantly Branded Podcast, XR4Heritage, OWIT Global, and OWIT Brussels supporting the initiative. Key contributors Ayumi Moore Aoki, Olivia de Bie, Georgia Mourad Brooks, Geraldine Bueken, Loubna Azghoud, Valerie Zapico, Éva Kamarás, Alice Demaret, and Ophélie Patin shared their expertise and perspectives.

The dedicated organizing team—Zineb Bensaid, Moyra Bonjean, María Lucia Romero, Elodie Trojanowski, Hinde Baddou, Alba Mustafaj, and Sarah Levin Weinberg—along with volunteers from Campus 19 led by Saisree Yerra, ensured the event’s success.

As the chapter looks forward to future initiatives, their message remains clear: this launch is merely the beginning of a transformative journey.
Those interested in joining this growing community can connect through the official platform at https://wit-h.com/.

A comprehensive new study conducted by McKinsey and the American Nurses Foundation, “The pulse of nurses’ perspectives on AI in healthcare delivery” has unveiled compelling insights into nurses’ perspectives on artificial intelligence in healthcare delivery, highlighting significant opportunities for women in both healthcare and technology sectors.

Research Overview

The extensive survey, which gathered responses from 7,200 nurses nationwide, reveals a promising intersection of healthcare and technology, with 64% of nurses expressing interest in incorporating more AI tools into their work. This enthusiasm peaks at 71% among nurses aged 30-39, suggesting a strong generational readiness for technological advancement in healthcare settings.

Women at the Forefront of Healthcare Innovation

The findings are particularly relevant for women in technology, as nursing remains a female-dominated profession where technology adoption can significantly impact patient care outcomes. Dr. Adriane Griffin, interim executive director at the American Nurses Foundation, along with co-researchers Gretchen Berlin, RN, and Stephanie Hammer, RN, demonstrate how women are actively shaping the future of healthcare technology.

Breaking Barriers: Challenges and Opportunities

The study identifies key concerns that need addressing: 61% of respondents cite trust in accuracy as a primary concern, while 49% worry about reduced human interaction. These insights present unique opportunities for women in tech to develop solutions that balance technological efficiency with the human touch essential to healthcare.

Empowering Future Innovation

Perhaps most significantly, 73% of nurses advocate for direct nursing input in the design and optimization of AI tools. This creates an unprecedented opportunity for women in both healthcare and technology sectors to collaborate and lead innovation in healthcare AI development.

Educational Implications for Women in Tech

The research highlights a critical need for AI education in healthcare, with 36% of respondents noting a lack of knowledge about AI-based tools. This gap presents an excellent opportunity for women in tech education and training roles to develop specialized programs bridging healthcare and technology.

Moving Forward

The study suggests that healthcare evolution through AI implementation won’t be possible without nurse engagement. For women considering careers in technology or healthcare, this intersection offers promising opportunities to influence the future of both fields.

“While many stakeholders may be eager to leap into the future with AI, it is critical to have leadership, insight, and feedback from healthcare’s largest workforce—nurses—to ensure that high-quality patient care remains the priority across all care settings,” the researchers note.

References

Berlin, G., Murphy, M., Hammer, S., Griffin, A., & Harrison, N. (2024). The pulse of nurses’ perspectives on AI in healthcare delivery. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/the-pulse-of-nurses-perspectives-on-ai-in-healthcare-delivery

McKinsey & Company. (2023, November 6). Understanding and prioritizing nurses’ mental health and well-being. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/understanding-and-prioritizing-nurses-mental-health-and-well-being

McKinsey & Company. (2024, March 28). How to bridge the experience gap by supporting nurses of all tenures. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/how-to-bridge-the-experience-gap-by-supporting-nurses-of-all-tenures

Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, October 17, 2024 – The third edition of the Women in Tech (WIT) APAC Summit and Awards commenced on Tuesday at the prestigious Central Bank of Malaysia, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s mission to empower women in the technology sector across the Asia-Pacific region.

Ministerial Address

In his keynote speech, Malaysia’s Minister of Digital, YB Gobind Singh Deo, emphasized the crucial role of women in technology:

“As we stand on the precipice of this ever-evolving digital era, it is extremely important that we recognize and amplify the contributions of women in the tech space,” stated Gobind Singh. He referenced the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2024, which highlighted a concerning decline in women’s representation in senior leadership roles across industries, including tech, calling for increased focus on leadership training and mentorship programs.

Event Overview

The summit featured a comprehensive program including workshops, high-level peer-to-peer sessions, and panel discussions addressing critical challenges in the industry. A notable addition this year was the introduction of an Oxford-style debate format, fostering deeper engagement among participants in knowledge sharing and project development.On Day 1, we also had an enlightening breakout session: speed mentoring organized by the 30% Club. Ms. Nurul Ain Abdul Latif, the Chair of the 30% Club Malaysia, participated as one of the mentors.

Congratulations to the inspiring winners!
Aspiring Teen Award: Yam Yiu Wong
Best Ally Award: Akio T.
Most Impactful Initiative Award powered by CelcomDigi: Dr Saira Osama for CerebroCure Technologies Pvt Ltd
Most Disruptive Award, powered by Amazon: Momoko Fukunaga
GreenTech Startup Award: Dr. Chithra Lekha P
Woman in Web3 Award powered by The Sandbox: Selvarany Rasiah
Tech Diplomacy Award: Jean Linis-Dinco
Global Leadership Award: Melissa Proxenos
Lifetime Achievement Award powered by AFFIN Group: Tserenjagzan Gansukh

The event showcased an impressive gathering of 57 speakers, including four ambassadors, with support from five embassies (France, Japan, Netherlands, Hungary, and the US), demonstrating the global significance of the initiative.

Empowering Women-Led Startups

Recognizing the critical role of financial support in fostering women’s entrepreneurship, the awards ceremony included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Kapital DX (KLDX) to support funding for women-led startups. This initiative addresses one of the most significant barriers faced by women in tech entrepreneurship – access to capital.

The “Startup x Funding Scene: Empowering Women Founders – Navigating the Funding Maze with Diverse Investors” panel provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in securing funding for women-led tech ventures. Experts such as Christina Teo from she1K and Sam Shafie from pitchIN shared their experiences and advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs in the APAC region.

Spotlight on Emerging Technologies

The awards also focused on emerging technologies and their potential impact on women in the workforce. Microsoft’s presentation on “AI in Action” explored how generative AI is transforming industries and affecting the work lives of employees, particularly women, across the APAC region.

Sessions on cybersecurity and data protection highlighted the growing demand for skilled professionals in these areas, presenting opportunities for women to enter and excel in these critical fields within the APAC tech ecosystem.

Conclusion and Future Prospects

The Women In Tech APAC Regional Awards served as a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and celebrating the achievements of women in tech across the Asia-Pacific region. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, from government officials to startup founders, the event created a comprehensive dialogue on advancing women’s participation in the tech industry.

A heartfelt thank you to our valued partners: Affin, CelcomDigi, bp, PayNet (Payments Network Malaysia), Amazon, and MDEC (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation), a government agency under the Ministry of Digital. Your support made this event possible!

The event’s success and the high-level support it received underscore the growing recognition of the vital role women play in driving innovation and economic growth in the APAC technology sector. As the tech industry continues to evolve, initiatives like this awards ceremony play a crucial role in ensuring that women are not just participants but leaders in shaping the digital future of the APAC region.

For more information on upcoming events and initiatives, visit the Women in Tech Global -hub

As we observe World Mental Health Day today, October 10th, significant research highlights the urgent need for workplace mental health support for women in technology and beyond

A comprehensive study of over 30,000 employees across 30 countries has revealed significant gender disparities in workplace mental health, with women reporting higher rates of exhaustion and poorer mental well-being compared to their male counterparts. The research, conducted by the McKinsey Health Institute, provides critical insights as we mark World Mental Health Day 2024, a day dedicated to raising awareness and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.

Key Research Findings

The study, led by Jacqueline Brassey and colleagues at McKinsey & Company, found that 46% of women experience workplace exhaustion compared to 38% of men. Notably significant disparities were observed in several countries, including France, India, Japan, and South Korea, where the gender gap in exhaustion levels exceeded 10 percentage points.

“These findings are particularly relevant for the technology sector, where women often face additional challenges of being underrepresented,” notes Dr. Ruma Bhargawa, Lead of Mental Health at the World Economic Forum, who contributed to the research analysis.

Impact on Career Progression

The research demonstrates a concerning correlation between mental health challenges and career advancement. While women’s representation in C-suite positions has increased from 17% in 2015 to 28% in 2023, these gains remain fragile. The study suggests that unaddressed mental health concerns could jeopardize this progress, particularly affecting women in technical roles where stress levels are often higher.

Strategic Solutions for Employers

The research identifies four key areas where employers can make meaningful interventions:

1. Enhanced Caregiver Support: With women shouldering 61% of caregiving responsibilities, implementing specialized coaching and support programs becomes crucial.
2. Microaggression Prevention: The study found women are twice as likely to face workplace interruptions and emotional state commentary, leading to increased burnout risk.
3. Flexible Work Arrangements: Women with location flexibility reported 15% better mental health and 19% less exhaustion, highlighting the importance of adaptive work policies.
4. Women-Specific Health Support: Beyond traditional wellness programs, employers should consider implementing specialized support for women’s health needs, including menopause support and extended parental leave policies.

Technology Sector Implications

For the technology industry, where retention of female talent remains a critical challenge, these findings offer a roadmap for creating more inclusive workplaces. Companies can leverage these insights to develop targeted mental health support systems that address the unique challenges faced by women in tech.

References

Brassey, J., & Bhargawa, R. (2024, March 8). Women’s mental health is a strategic imperative: Here’s how employers can bolster it today. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/03/womens-mental-health-is-a-strategic-imperative-heres-how-employers-can-bolster-it-today/

Read full article here!

A Prestigious Gathering in Washington, DC

The North America Women in Tech® Regional Awards, a prestigious event recognizing outstanding achievements in the technology sector, took place on September 19th at the French Embassy in Washington, DC. His Excellency Laurent Bili, Ambassador of France to the United States, delivered the opening remarks, setting an inspiring tone for the day’s proceedings.

Part of a Global Initiative

This event marked the second stop on the Women in Tech® world tour, which comprises seven regional awards ceremonies and one global finale. The day began with a highly executive ELEVATE Symposium at American University’s Washington College of Law, featuring engaging discussions on emerging technologies’ role in promoting gender equity, the impact of AI on the future of business, and leadership needs to attract and retain women in STEM..

Distinguished Speakers and Panelists

The event brought together an impressive lineup of presenters and panelists to discuss an array of topics spanning technology, leadership, and equity.  

Emerging Tech Impact on Gender Equity – Featuring Kara Calvert, Vice President for US Policy at Coinbase; Amanda Wick, Founder and CEO of Women in Crypto; Andrew Feldman, CEO and Co-Founder of datacenter startup Flexnode; and Dr. Diana Burley, Vice Provost for Research and Innovation at American University

The Female Future of AI – A fireside chat between Lucy Melvin, Deloitte AI executive, and Victoria Houed, US Commerce Department Head of AI

Attracting and Retaining Women in STEM – Highlighting Andrea Mohamed, Co-founder and COO of Quantum Bloom; Patti Curtis, research executive with STEMnext; Cari Bohley, VP of Talent Management at Peraton; and Doreen Harwood, retired Department of Defense intelligence community executive and Chair of the Ft. Meade Alliance Education and Workforce Committee. 

The Power of Public and Private Sector Collaboration –  Erin Shepley of the US DHS CISA Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative, Kristin Sargent of Sargent Initiatives, Jaime Fitzgibbon of DIU, and Melissa Weise of AWS 

Motivational presentations – Marisa Murray, Founder and CEO of LeaderLey and TedX speaker and author; Kathryn Rose, CEO & Founder of ChannelWise, US Special Envoy to Women in Tech® Global, and the North America 2023 Best Ally Awardee; Jennie Blumenthal, author, speaker, and co-founder of Ellevoy; and Sandrine Tshiamala, NGO executive. 

The day was facilitated by Nyla Beth Gawel, Country Director of Women in Tech® USA.

Ambassador’s Call to Action

Ambassador Bili emphasised the importance of empowering women in tech, stating, “When we empower women in tech, we empower the future. We unlock a wealth of untapped potential, creativity, and diverse perspectives that are essential for driving innovation and solving the complex challenges of our time.”

Celebrating Excellence: Award Winners

The evening ceremony celebrated outstanding women, initiatives, and allies across nine categories. Notable winners included:

• Aspiring Teen Award: Mary Adegbesan
• Best Ally Award: Barbara Grofic
• Most Impactful Initiative: QuantumBloom
• GreenTech Startup Award: Tonya Hicks
• Woman in Web3 Award: Sandy Carter
• Most Disruptive Award (powered by Amazon): Yuexing Hao
• Tech Diplomacy Award: Nadine Farid Johnson
• Global Leadership Award: Jennie Blumenthal 
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Paula Hunter

Sponsors and Support

The event was made possible through the support of sponsors including Amazon, Deloitte, Coinbase, Service Now, Flexnode, Veeam, and HD Gatanas LLC. We express our gratitude to the Embassy of France in the United States for their invaluable assistance in hosting this celebration of women’s achievements in technology.

Looking Ahead

As the Women in Tech® World tour continues, this North American regional event stands as a testament to the growing recognition of women’s contributions to the tech industry and the ongoing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the field.

Introduction

The rapidly evolving field of FemTech, which encompasses technology products and services addressing women’s health needs, is experiencing unprecedented growth. A recent analysis by Penman, Pryde, McKay, and Cunningham (2024) highlights the sector’s potential to revolutionize women’s healthcare through artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven solutions. This literature review examines their findings and explores the implications for girls and women worldwide.

The Rise of FemTech

According to Forbes and Dealroom, FemTech raised $1.14 billion across 120 deals in 2023 (Penman et al., 2024). This surge in investment reflects growing awareness of women’s health issues and changing societal perspectives. The FemTech Landscape Report projects the industry to reach a valuation exceeding one trillion dollars by 2027, underscoring its significant potential (Penman et al., 2024).

Addressing Healthcare Disparities

FemTech aims to bridge critical gaps in women’s healthcare:

1. Research Imbalance: Less than 5% of public-funded research in the UK focuses on reproductive health, despite its impact on a third of women (Penman et al., 2024).
2. Clinical Trial Exclusion: Historically, women have been underrepresented in medical studies, leading to knowledge gaps (Penman et al., 2024).

FemTech solutions, such as period-tracking apps, virtual clinics, and fertility-tracking devices, are working to address these disparities by providing accessible health information and data collection.

AI and Data: Powering Personalized Healthcare

The integration of AI in FemTech offers transformative possibilities:

1. Pattern Recognition: AI can analyze vast amounts of unstructured data to identify health trends (Penman et al., 2024).
2. Personalized Recommendations: AI-powered virtual health advisors can provide tailored guidance throughout a woman’s life stages (Penman et al., 2024).
3. Early Detection: AI analysis of medical imaging, such as mammograms, can improve early detection of conditions like breast cancer (Penman et al., 2024).

These advancements have the potential to empower women with real-time insights and proactive health management tools.

Challenges and Considerations

While the potential benefits are significant, the authors highlight important challenges:

1. Data Privacy: Over 50% of women surveyed by the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office expressed concerns about data transparency and security (Penman et al., 2024).
2. Ethical AI Development: Ensuring accountability, transparency, and safeguarding fundamental rights is crucial (Penman et al., 2024).
3. Bias Mitigation: FemTech products must be designed to avoid gender, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic biases (Penman et al., 2024).

Regulatory Landscape

The authors note several key regulatory developments:

1. UK Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022: Establishes minimum security requirements for consumer-connected products (Penman et al., 2024).
2. EU AI Act: Imposes additional obligations on high-risk AI applications in medical devices (Penman et al., 2024).

Conclusion

FemTech, powered by AI and data-driven solutions, has the potential to revolutionize women’s healthcare by addressing historical disparities and providing personalized, accessible health management tools. However, as Penman et al. (2024) emphasize, careful consideration of privacy, ethics, and bias mitigation is essential to realize the full potential of this rapidly growing sector.

References

Penman, L., Pryde, N., McKay, K., & Cunningham, S. (2024). FemTech and the use of AI. Society for Computers & Law. 
Read full article here!

On August 10th, 2024, a groundbreaking initiative took place in the heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, as 31 young girls from local orphanages were introduced to the world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).

Collaborating for Change

The event, organized by Women In Tech DR Congo in partnership with the NGO Kolesha through their Play and Code Academy, aimed to ignite a spark of curiosity and confidence in these girls, empowering them to envision a future where they can actively participate in the rapidly evolving fields of technology and innovation.

Hands-on Exploration

The workshop was divided into two groups based on the participants’ ages. The younger girls, aged 7 to 11, delved into the world of LEGO robotics, constructing and programming a fan to operate via a Bluetooth-connected tablet. “It was amazing to see the girls’ faces light up as they watched their creations come to life,” remarked Sandrine Tshiamala, Founder and Manager of Kolesha. “For many of them, it was the first time they had experienced the thrill of bringing their ideas to reality through code.”

Building Robots, Building Confidence

The older participants, aged 12 to 17, took on a more ambitious challenge: building and programming a fully functional robot. Under the guidance of expert mentors, these young innovators not only gained valuable technical skills but also developed a newfound sense of self-belief and empowerment. “The workshop has shown these girls that they have the potential to excel in STEAM fields, opening up a world of opportunities that they may have never imagined,” said Fanny Muamba, the founder of Women In Tech DR Congo.

Bridging the Gender Gap

The organizers of the event believe that initiatives like this are crucial in bridging the gender gap in STEAM, particularly in the context of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where access to quality education and technology-focused programs can be limited. “By exposing these girls to the wonders of coding and robotics at a young age, we are planting the seeds for a future where women are not just consumers of technology, but active drivers of innovation,” said Tshiamala.

Transformative Journeys

The enthusiasm and engagement displayed by the participants throughout the workshop suggest that this may be the beginning of a transformative journey for these young Congolese girls. “I never knew I could build a robot or write code,” exclaimed 14-year-old Fatima Mbemba. “This experience has made me believe that I can do anything I set my mind to.”

As the girls returned to their orphanages, they carried with them not just the newfound knowledge and skills, but a renewed sense of purpose and the belief that they can shape the future of their country and the world.

Follow WIT-hub DR Congo to stay tuned to their latest updates!