On March 6, 2026, Women in Tech Kenya and Women in Tech Uzbekistan jointly hosted Beyond Boundaries: Women in Tech Global Exchange in Nairobi, bringing together women in technology from different continents.

Symbolically, at the end of 2025, Uzbekistan and Kenya officially established diplomatic relations, making this collaboration even more meaningful.

The initiative reflected the core mission of Women in Tech Global — connecting regions and communities around shared priorities. Despite geographical distance, countries like Kenya and Uzbekistan face many similar opportunities and challenges: access to education, the future of work, ethical AI, entrepreneurship, financial empowerment, and youth leadership.

More than 200 participants attended the event — from Gen Alpha students to experienced industry leaders — along with male allies supporting gender equality in technology.
In a creative and celebratory moment, the event’s MC even produced a custom theme song inspired by the spirit of “Beyond Boundaries” and the connection between Kenya and Uzbekistan, keeping the audience energized throughout the day. https://youtube.com/shorts/9CoLSwo2774?si=pXGKKFfinY5qXvqe

The event was made possible through the support of valued partners, including Canva, UN Women, PesaLink, AWS, European Business University (EBU), UNICAF, Little Cab alongside media partners CIO Africa and Business Insider Africa.

Conversations That Reflected Real-World Challenges

A special address from Antonia Ngabala-Sodonon, UN Women Kenya Country Representative and global partner of Women in Tech, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to advancing gender equality in the digital age.

Throughout the day, discussions explored the broader realities women face in the digital economy, including:

• Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) and digital safety
  
• Financial resilience for women, including wealth protection and long-term financial security
  
• Entrepreneurship realities, from rejection and persistence to difficult decisions around equity and investment
  
• Personal branding, encouraging women to confidently share their achievements and gain visibility

Youth engagement was also a strong theme throughout the event. A highlight was the presentation by girls from the Kenya Girl Guides Association (KGGA), who showcased robotics projects developed in collaboration with the European Business University (EBU).

Our special guests

Ayumi Moore Aoki, Founder and Global CEO of Women in Tech, joined the event virtually to congratulate the organizers and participants, highlighting the presence of multiple Women in Tech chapters and global partners such as UN Women and the European Business University.

From the international delegation, Lidiya Borisenko from Serbia attended the event and delivered a welcome message on behalf of the co-organizers, sharing remarks from Anna Ambrozevich, Director of Women in Tech Uzbekistan:

“Uzbekistan and Kenya may be far apart geographically, but when we started working together, we discovered how much our countries actually have in common. Both are dynamic, ambitious, and full of young talent. Both are building growing technology ecosystems. And both have incredible women who want to innovate, lead, and shape the future.”

Another distinguished guest was Benie Koy, Co-Founder of Women in Tech DR Congo, who joined the event in Nairobi, representing the wider global Women in Tech community and sharing her leadership experience.

Africa in Focus: Technology and Women’s Empowerment

This celebration comes in the lead-up to the Women in Tech Global Summit 2026, which will be hosted for the first time on the African continent in Cape Town, South Africa.
Events like Beyond Boundaries demonstrate that when women connect across continents, industries, and generations, they create a powerful force for innovation, opportunity, and change.
And perhaps most importantly, they remind us that even across thousands of kilometers, shared ideas can bring continents closer together.

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!

On 1 December, Women in Tech Spain celebrated a milestone event at the Residence of France in Madrid, where H.E. Kareen Rispal, Ambassador of France to Spain, officially became the marraine (godmother) of the chapter. The evening brought together leaders from business, diplomacy and the tech ecosystem to advance Women in Tech’s mission and to anchor the Osaka Protocol in the Spanish context.

The program opened with remarks by Patricia Arboleda, Managing Director of Women in Tech Spain, who highlighted the rapid growth of the chapter and its four strategic pillars: education and employability, community building, corporate alliances and inclusive cultures. Ambassador Rispal then addressed the audience, underlining her commitment to gender equality and to supporting Women in Tech Spain as *marraine*, the first time the French Embassy in Madrid has taken on such a role for a women‑in‑tech initiative.

Ayumi Moore Aoki, Founder and CEO of Women in Tech Global, set the global frame for the evening by connecting the work of Women in Tech Spain to international tech diplomacy efforts and to the Osaka Protocol, launched at the Women in Tech Global Summit. A high‑level panel moderated by Patricia Arboleda, with speakers from AENOR, Cloudera, the Harvard Belfer Center/UN AI Advisory Body and Tara for Women, explored equality as a strategic driver of innovation, better decision‑making and corporate competitiveness in key areas such as cybersecurity, AI and entrepreneurship.

The highlight of the night was the presentation of the Osaka Protocol and a symbolic signing ceremony, during which Remora Talent Advisory, Jota2Group and MIOTI became the first Spanish organizations to formalize their commitments under the framework. Joined by Ambassador Rispal and Ayumi Moore Aoki, the signatories reinforced a shared ambition to help reach the Protocol’s goal of positively impacting 100 million women and girls by 2030 through concrete programs and measurable outcomes.

Closing the evening, Women in Tech Spain invited participants to deepen their engagement through future events, international delegations and continued collaboration on Osaka Protocol commitments. With the French Embassy in Madrid as an institutional partner and the Ambassador as marraine, Women in Tech Spain stands poised to amplify its national and international impact as part of the broader Women in Tech Global movement.

As the world races into the era of artificial intelligence, one thing is clear: continuous learning is essential to keep up with the pace. The rise of AI isn’t just a technological shift; it’s a reset. For women in tech, it’s also an opportunity to lead the next chapter.
On November 4th, Women in Tech® Israel hosted HERizon AI, a first-of-its-kind six-hour hands-on workshop powered by Google Cloud Israel, KPMG Israel, and MyOp at the Google Offices in Tel Aviv. The event brought together a full room of 80 women developers and engineers ready to go beyond theory — to build, code, and lead with AI.

The event benefited from a wide media coverage, two daily economic papers publishing extensive interviews of Women in Tech® Israel team and their guests. 

A Call to Lead the Reset

The day began with a warm introduction by Anne Baer, Chapter Director of Women in Tech Israel and CEO of iKare Innovation, who set the tone: “We need to catch the AI train now to be positioned as entrepreneurs, co-founders, and leaders in both technology and management.”

That message resonated through the morning talk by Keren Fanan, Co-Founder of Myop and Board Member of Women in Tech Israel, who urged participants to reset the rules and their mindset to thrive in the AI era. She reminded the room that in times of chaos, champions rise, that when no one knows the rules, the opportunity is equal, and that the voice of gender should never hold anyone back. Her talk positioned AI not as a threat but as an open door for women to rise as innovators, entrepreneurs, and change agents.

From Insight to Action

The workshop then delved into hands-on learning with Google Cloud’s Jeff Dahan, who guided participants through building AI agents using Google’s Agent Development Kit (ADK): a first step in gaining practical, portfolio-ready experience with next-generation AI tools.
In the afternoon, Yarden Israeli, Head of Data Science at KPMG Israel, offered a grounded and personal perspective on building credibility and influence in AI. She shared a strategic framework for understanding what organizations truly need right now and outlined a clear north star to avoid chasing trends, instead using AI to drive meaningful impact. 
Finally, Claudia Palierne, AI/ML Developer at KPMG, and Program Manager at Women in Tech® Israel, led an advanced Model Context Protocol (MCP) lab, teaching participants to build their own multi-agent ecosystems, a technical exercise that stretched both skills and imagination. 

Empowering Skills and Community

HERizon AI was designed for women developers with 3+ years of experience, from software engineers to AI/ML developers and data scientists. The program balanced cutting-edge technical content with personal growth, creating a purpose-driven space where women could both sharpen their skills and expand their networks.
Thanks to the generous support of Google Cloud, KPMG, and MyOp, the workshop was offered free of charge, removing barriers to entry and making AI education accessible to more women in Israel’s growing tech ecosystem.

The Takeaway

HERizon AI marked another milestone in Women in Tech® Israel’s mission to empower 70,000 women and girls in STEM by 2030. It has been proven that when learning meets community and when women lead the conversation, the future of technology looks not just smarter, but fair.

Women in Tech Uzbekistan, in partnership with Uzinfocom, officially premiered the second episode of the documentary film The Women’s Path (Ayol Yo‘li) on 7 November 2025 in Tashkent.

This new release continues the Women’s Path documentary series, which highlights the resilience, determination, and lived experiences of women in Uzbekistan — and shows how family support, mentorship, and community belief shape their journeys into technology.

Episode Two follows the real stories of three women from regions of Uzbekistan, including such cities as Fergana, Nukus, and Navoi. Their experiences reflect the diversity and potential of women contributing to the country’s digital development, as well as the importance of encouragement from those around them — parents, partners, teachers, mentors, and friends.
This project continues the mission to expand representation, amplify women’s voices, and strengthen access to opportunities across Uzbekistan’s growing tech ecosystem.

The film premiered on the big screen in Tashkent at the Youth Affairs Agency together with White Alliance — a warm and memorable evening with our heroines, their families, friends, partners, and guests. Now the film begins its journey across the regions of Uzbekistan, and beyond.

🎬 Full film available here: https://youtu.be/Q2sLpFog9H4?si=8SLHQli84dkFdtPX

Featuring the heroines Dilrabo Khidirova, Aygul Tumaeva, and E’zoza Ergasheva,
Produced by Dildora Tursunova and the Uzinfocom team, Anna Ambrozevich, Irodakhon Azimoza, Gulnora Abdunazarova and Women in Tech Uzbekistan

The 8th Women in Tech® Global Awards gathered an international community of leaders, innovators and allies in Paris to celebrate outstanding women and role models who are shaping the future of technology. The ceremony honoured individuals and organisations whose work is transforming industries, influencing policy and building a more inclusive digital future.

Honouring excellence across ten categories
This edition of the Global Awards spotlighted ten categories reflecting the breadth of roles and pathways in technology, from emerging talent and entrepreneurship to global leadership and lifetime impact. Together, the 2025 awardees illustrate how women and allies are driving change across regions and disciplines, and how inclusive leadership is becoming a strategic imperative for the tech ecosystem.

2025 Award Recipients
The following individuals and organizations received recognition across ten award categories:

🏆 Aspiring Teen Award: Amira Alqabbaa (Middle East) and Aurora Delgado Camones (LATAM)

🏆 Most Disruptive Award: Adriana Marais (Africa)

🏆 Best Ally Award: Ivo Haase (Europe)

🏆 Most Impactful Initiative Award: MOMADE VAA LLC (APAC)

🏆 Woman in Web3 Award: Ella Cullen (Europe)

🏆 Tech Diplomacy Award: Nathalie KIENGA (Africa)

🏆 Start-Up Award: Dr. Jayantika Soni (APAC) and Makpal Orakkyzy (CCA)

🏆 Global Leadership Award: Titi Akinsanmi (North America)

🏆 Lifetime Achievement Award: Carme Artigas (Europe)

🏆 Honorary Award: Lucia Acurio

A global platform for visibility and impact
Across these ten categories, each laureate’s story demonstrates how access to education, networks, capital and leadership opportunities can unlock powerful, technology‑driven solutions for communities worldwide. By bringing their achievements to a global stage, the Women in Tech® Global Awards reinforce the organisation’s mission to empower women and girls in STEAM and to showcase role models from every region.

Beyond celebration: a call to action
The 8th Women in Tech® Global Awards are not only a celebration of individual excellence; they are also a call to action for companies, governments, investors and institutions to deepen their commitments to gender equality in technology. As Women in Tech® Global continues to expand its footprint, the 2025 awardees stand as ambassadors of what is possible when diverse leadership is recognised, supported and given the space to drive systemic change.

Exclusive cross-border symposium features breakthrough strategies for navigating AI revolution and achieving exponential career growth

TORONTO, Canada – September 4, 2025 – As artificial intelligence reshapes the global economy, Women in Tech® Canada and Women in Tech® USA announce an unprecedented gathering of industry pioneers for the ELEVATE Symposium 2025, taking place September 12 at Vena Solutions’ Toronto headquarters. The one-day intensive will address critical questions facing women in technology today: How do we lead in the age of AI? What evidence-based strategies actually accelerate women’s success in STEM? How can tech diplomacy reshape global business?

“We’re at an inflection point where women’s leadership in technology isn’t just important—it’s essential for innovation and economic growth,” said Ayumi Moore Aoki, Founder and CEO of Women in Tech® Global. “This symposium brings together the exact voices and strategies needed to navigate this transformation, representing our commitment to empowering women across North America and beyond.”

The cross-border collaboration between the Canadian and US chapters demonstrates the global nature of today’s tech challenges and opportunities.

Breakthrough Sessions Address Today’s Most Pressing Tech Challenges

The symposium features six targeted sessions designed to deliver actionable insights:

Opening Keynote: “Energize for Impact” – TED speaker and executive coach Marisa Murray sets the stage for transformational thinking in today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape.

“The Emerging Tech Revolution: From AI to Crypto and Beyond” – Moderated by Marie-Soleil Boucher (Partner, HR Path), this panel features industry leaders including Dessalen Wood (Chief People Officer, Syntax), Vanessa Heppner (Founder & CEO, Altas AI), Tania Tanic (Founder & CEO, BrainStorm CyberRisk), and Ray Daoud (CSO, CGI), revealing how emerging technologies are creating new opportunities for women leaders.

“Transform: From Linear to Exponential Thinking” – Moderated by Bibiana Souza, featuring Cheryl Miller (VP Digital Policy, US Council for International Business), Jennifer Hall (LIDD Supply Chain), and Armando Elias (SAP Practice Leader, IBM Consulting), demonstrating how tech is redefining global business strategies.

“Evidence-Based Strategies for Women in STEM” – Moderated by Roula Habchi (Global Learning & Development Manager, CGI), featuring Andrea Mohamed (COO & Co-Founder, QuantumBloom and 2024 WIT Impact Winner), Jay Thakore (VP Consulting Services, CGI), and Michelle Paquin (Partner Avversita, CSO SAP Practice Lead). This session moves beyond inspiration to proven tactics that drive real career advancement.

Closing Keynote: “Psychological Safety as Strategic Advantage” – Nogol Madani (Founder & CEO, Glee Factor) reveals how psychological safety becomes a competitive advantage in AI-driven organizations.

“Bridging the Gap: Tech Diplomacy and Public-Private Partnerships” – Exploring how technology policy shapes global innovation and collaboration.

“The quality of speakers and the diversity of perspectives we’re bringing together reflects the collaborative spirit that drives innovation in our industry,” said Nyla Beth Gawel, North America Regional and USA Country Director. “This symposium exemplifies how cross-border partnerships can accelerate progress for women in technology.”

Evening Awards Celebrate Game-Changing Leadership Across North America

The symposium culminates with the 2025 North America Women in Tech Awards, recognizing breakthrough achievements across nine categories:

Aspiring Teen:

• Jahnavi Kari, Founder, The Draumur Initiative
• Nisa Thomas, Student, Del Norte High School
• Toluwakitan Akinsola, Student Technologist & Digital Ethics Advocate, Digital Harmony
• April Surac, Founder & Creative Director, NeuraSensa
• Emily Fetco, Front End JS Developer, Ultimate Tech

Best Ally:

• Genevieve Taurand, AI Team Lead, Vooban
• Mary Killelea, Founder, 2B Bolder
• Mike Amato, Women’s Executive Coach
• Allen Lau, Co-founder & CEO, Wattpad
• Daryl Hammet, General Manager Global Demand ML/AI & Operations, Amazon

Global Leadership:

• Titi Akinsanmi, Global Policy Director, Google
• Nicole Alexander, Professor, New York University
• Olanda Sharp-Buckley, Vice President, Dell Technologies
• Nidhi Gupta, Vice President, Etsy
• Saumya Bhatnagar, CPO & Co-founder, Involve.ai

Most Disruptive:

• Alda Mizaku, VP Chief Data & AI Officer, Children’s National Hospital
• Maryam Shanechi, Founding Director, University of Southern California Center for Neurotechnology
• Erin Bradner, Director of Strategic Foresight, Autodesk Inc
• Kyler Cheatham, Chief Performance Officer, The Confluential
• Linda Yao, Vice President and General Manager, Hybrid Cloud & AI Solutions, Lenovo

Most Impactful Initiative:

• Les EssenTIelles – CGI’s Greater Montreal women’s network
• The Hira Collective
• #Learn with Bren
• Merge Lane
• The Forum

Startup Award:

• Navrina Singh, CEO & Founder, CREDO AI
• Amanda Levay, CEO & Founder, Redactable
• Fiona Bao, CEO & Founder, Genpulse
• Shivangi Khurania, CEO & Founder, Deso Group Inc
• Lianna Genovese, CEO & Founder, ImaginAble Solutions

Woman in Web3:

• Emily Ekshian, Communications Lead Global Policy & Crypto Impact Research, Crypto Council for Innovation
• Staci Warden, CEO, Algorand Foundation
• Anisha Reddy, Lead Counsel, Roblox
• Denelle Dixon, CEO, Stellar Development Foundation
• Elena Sinelnikova, Co-founder, CryptoChicks and Metis

Tech Diplomacy:

• Eileen Donahoe, Executive Director, Global Digital Policy Incubator
• Nicol Turner Lee, Senior Fellow, Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institute
• Christina Steinbrecher-Pfandt, CEO, Tech Diplomacy Network
• Rebecca Finlay, CEO, Partnership on AI
• Merry Walker, Senior Policy Advisor, US State Department

Lifetime Achievement:

• Julie Godin, Executive Chair of the Board of Directors, CGI
• Kathleen Kramer, President, IEEE
• Nicole Martel, CEO, AQT – Quebec Technology Association
• Lauren Woodman, CEO, DataKind
• Michelle Soul, President, Aero Athena

Industry Leaders Unite in Support of Women’s Tech Advancement

The event is proudly supported by leading technology organizations including Amazon, CGI, LIDD, HR Path, Vast Data Federal, Syntax, Vena Solutions (host venue), Channel Marketing Association, Global Digital Inclusion Partnership, and Ultimate Tech, among others.

“The enthusiastic support from our sponsors demonstrates the industry’s commitment to advancing women in technology,” said Julie Watson, Canada Country Director. “These partnerships enable us to create meaningful opportunities for learning, networking, and career advancement that benefit our entire tech ecosystem.”

Limited Capacity Event Offers Unprecedented Networking

With only 200 seats available, the symposium provides intimate access to industry leaders driving the future of technology. Attendees will join executives from Google, IBM, Dell Technologies, Amazon, and emerging AI companies shaping tomorrow’s digital landscape.

Registration & Media Information

Symposium & Awards Registration:

• US Visitors: US Vistors   
• Canadian Visitors: Canada visitors
• Event Details:
• Date: September 12, 2025
• Location: Vena Solutions Toronto Headquarters
• Time: 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM (Symposium: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM; Awards: 5:30 PM – 9:30PM)

About Women in Tech Global

Founded in 2018 by Ayumi Moore Aoki, Women in Tech® Global operates in 65 countries with over 250,000 members worldwide. The organization aims to impact 5 million women and girls in STEM by 2030, focusing on education, business development, digital inclusion, and policy advocacy. Women in Tech® Global leads tech diplomacy initiatives that influence international cooperation and policy development for a more inclusive digital future.

The Canada Chapter and USA Chapter of Women in Tech® Global work collaboratively to advance opportunities for women in technology across North America, fostering cross-border partnerships and shared learning initiatives.

Media Contact: northamerica.awards@women-in-tech.org

From a simple lunch conversation to an unforgettable three-day journey, the Youth Camp: Code Your Future – Girls & Parents Bootcamp became a shining example of what happens when bold ideas meet action. Held at 42 Paris from July 11–13, this pioneering initiative by Women in Tech® France brought together 30 girls aged 14–16 and their parents to learn, build, and dream in code.

🚀 Turning Possibility into Purpose

The idea was sparked over a conversation between Ayumi Moore Aoki and Élisabeth Moreno: “What if we could create a tech camp for teenage girls and their parents together?” That spark grew into a fully-fledged camp designed to boost confidence, technical skills, and collaboration.
Over three immersive days, the young participants formed teams, developed real-world tech solutions, and gained firsthand experience of coding, pitching, and innovation. Five extraordinary teams emerged from this adventure:

• 👑 Star Amazons (Winning Team)
• 🚀 GTF – Girls to the Future
• 💥 TechnoGirls
• 🧠 Neuronova
• 🌍 Evol’IA

These teams lived up to their powerful names, presenting ambitious, inventive, and inspiring projects—proof that the next generation of leaders and changemakers is already here.

🎁 A Surprise to Fuel Their Future

The grand finale brought joyful tears: every girl was surprised with a brand-new iMac, a gift from 42 Paris, to continue her tech journey at home. It was a powerful symbol of belief in their potential—and a practical step to empower continued learning.
“This is what we dreamed about—giving these girls the tools and confidence to build their futures in tech.” – Ayumi Moore Aoki

🤝 Behind Every Success: A Community

This camp was made possible by a generous and passionate network of supporters, including:

• 💙 Ayumi Moore Aoki, Angela Naser, Sanaé Blanc, and the entire Women in Tech® France team
• 🏛 42 Paris – host and generous donor
• 💡 Partners like Femmes@Numérique (Élisabeth Moreno, Juliette Delas), and Groupe BPCE (Sahra Duc, Ulric Streit)
• 🎓 Trainers and mentors from VRAI Learning, MARC SELLIER, Christèle Simeoni, Sabrina Zidour, Siwar Chabir Fahdel, and many more role models who shared their time and talent
• And, of course, the parents—whose presence and trust made this experience complete.

---

✨ This Is Just the Beginning

Code Your Future was more than a camp—it was a declaration. These young women are not just participants; they are pioneers. With the right support and belief, they’re already building the future of tech.

PARIS, France — The recent establishment of Women in Tech Fiji has provided compelling evidence for the economic impact of gender-inclusive technology initiatives in Pacific island nations, according to analysis of the chapter’s early achievements and alignment with national digital strategies.Following a diplomatic reception hosted by French Ambassador Julie Le Saos in Suva on July 17, 2025, new data has emerged demonstrating how targeted women-in-technology programs can accelerate national digital transformation goals while addressing persistent gender gaps in STEM fields.

Research Findings on Economic Impact

The Fiji chapter’s integration with the country’s National Digital Strategy (2025-2030) offers a case study in how grassroots technology organizations can support macro-economic objectives. According to statements from Tupou Baravilala, Director-General of Digital Government Transformation at Fiji’s Ministry of Trade, the chapter’s work directly advances the strategy’s Digital Inclusion & Empowerment pillar.
“The synergy between Women in Tech Fiji’s mission and our national strategic objectives demonstrates measurable progress toward bridging the digital divide,” Baravilala noted during the reception, referencing the organization’s dual focus on rural and urban communities.

Global Context and Projections

The Pacific chapter’s launch comes amid sobering global research on gender parity timelines. Current projections suggest achieving full gender parity could require 134 years at present rates, according to recent economic analyses cited in the organization’s materials. However, targeted interventions like Women in Tech chapters are demonstrating potential to accelerate this timeline significantly.

Economic modeling referenced in the chapter’s documentation suggests that closing workforce gender gaps could contribute up to $28 trillion to global GDP—a projection that takes on particular significance for small island developing states seeking to diversify their economies through digital innovation.

Methodology and Regional Expansion

Women in Tech Global’s approach, operating under four strategic pillars—Education, Business, Digital Inclusion, and Advocacy—has scaled to over 250,000 members across 54 countries since its 2018 founding. The organization’s methodology emphasizes localized implementation of global frameworks, with the Fiji chapter representing the first Pacific regional expansion.

The chapter’s Country Director, Sagufta Janif, participated in VivaTech 2025 in Paris with French Embassy support, representing Fiji’s technology ecosystem alongside other Pacific startups in the inaugural Pacific Tech Village initiative.

Recognition and Future Implications

The chapter’s early impact has been recognized through multiple Asia-Pacific Women in Tech Awards, including Anju Mangal’s Global Leadership Award and three additional finalist positions across various categories, suggesting strong regional engagement and leadership development.
Ambassador Le Saos emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative within France’s Feminist Foreign Policy framework, noting that “technology serves as a force for inclusion, not division—developed by and for everyone.”

Looking Forward

The Fiji chapter’s trajectory suggests a model for other Pacific island nations seeking to leverage technology for economic development while addressing gender disparities. With the organization’s stated goal of impacting 5 million women and girls in STEM by 2030, the Pacific expansion represents both a regional milestone and a testing ground for scaling inclusive technology initiatives in geographically dispersed markets.

WOMEN IN TECH® Global is pleased to announce the formalization of a strategic partnership with France’s Foreign Trade Advisors (CCE), signed at BERCY, the French Ministry of Finance & Economy, on July 11, 2025. This agreement represents a significant advancement in the commitment of both organizations to foster women’s innovation and enhance international collaboration in the technology sector.

The partnership brings together the global reach of WOMEN IN TECH®, representing over 300,000 members across 60 countries, and the longstanding expertise of the CCE, an institution with more than 125 years of experience supporting French enterprises abroad. The collaboration is designed to create new opportunities for women entrepreneurs, promote international exchange, and further position France as a leader in women’s tech entrepreneurship.

The agreement was signed by Ayumi Moore Aoki, Founder and CEO of WOMEN IN TECH® Global, and Sophie Sidos, President of the CCE and the first woman to hold this position in the organization’s history. Both leaders emphasized the importance of this alliance in providing women innovators with access to international markets and resources, reinforcing a shared vision for advancing gender diversity in technology.

This partnership was made possible through the strategic guidance of Claudine Leprince, the bridge-building efforts of Anne Baer, and the ongoing leadership of Angela Naser, Director of Women in Tech® France. WOMEN IN TECH® Global and the CCE will announce further joint initiatives and programs in the coming months as part of their continued dedication to supporting women in technology and international business.