Impact Stories from Empowering Women and Girls Policy Area

Fellow to serve as jurist for Project Afaq competition

Fellow(s): Nadiah Saba’neh (Palestinian Territories, 2015)

Country: Palestinian Territories

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development

Fellow to serve as jurist for Project Afaq competition

Fellow Nadiah Saba’neh (Palestinian Territories, 2015) was recently selected to serve as a jury member for Project Afaq in Jericho. Supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by Ma’an Development Center, Project Afaq aims to promote economic empowerment for low income residents of the Jericho and Jordan Valley Governorate, with a focus on women aged 19 to 50. Technical and financial support will be provided to assist women in establishing and leading their own initiatives with the goal of promoting their economic participation and reducing poverty in the targeted regions.25 out of 50 women will compete for the chance to secure grants for entrepreneurial ventures and 18 women will receive vocational training opportunities targeted at their specific interests and passions. Through a comprehensive intervention,” Nadiah wrote in a recent post, “we strive to empower them economically and enhance their resilience in a sustainable manner. Nadiah is the founder of FINOMENA (Female Innovators & Investors of MENA), a digital platform for women entrepreneurs. She also recently completed the European Elective module offered by the Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA Program in Vallendar, Germany.

Report Date...: 05/22/2023

Team Pakistan launches seed grant-funded mobile app & campaign to address climate change

Fellow(s): Team Pakistan 2022

Country: Pakistan

Cohort: 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

Team Pakistan launches seed grant-funded mobile app & campaign to address climate change

Fall 2022 Team Pakistan, made up of fellows Amara Dar, Sadaf Gul, Ramla Hassan, Sadafi Shah, Anum Sadiq and Shehnaz Zakia, has recently launched their climate change awareness campaign as part of their TechWomen seed-grant winning initiative. The project, AGAHi, seeks to help people understand, prevent and protect themselves from the devastating effects of climate change following the catastrophic floods that took place in Pakistan last summer. The cornerstone of the campaign is the AGAHi SOS mobile application, available in the Google Play store. It provides real-time flood warning notifications, location risk tracking, local emergency and service contacts, safety tips, and the option to report floods, road blockages and other climate-based hazards. The campaign includes in-person events, such as a recent visit and clean-up project hosted at a girls’ middle school, the distribution of physical literature teaching how to take action and reduce one’s carbon footprint, and a social media push featuring photos of Pakistani women, men and children holding signs with messages such as, “global warming isn’t a prediction, it is happening,” and “the earth is what we have in common.”

Report Date...: 05/15/2023

Fellow podcast to be broadcast on VIU streaming

Fellow(s): Thulile Khanyile (South Africa, 2022)

Country: South Africa

Cohort: 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development

Fellow podcast to be broadcast on VIU streaming

“Let’s Talk Science with Thuli”, a podcast developed by fellow Thulile Khanyile (South Africa, 2022), is now available as a televised show on the VIU video streaming platform, which is available in 16 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. With a three season distribution deal, Thulile aims to communicate the relevance of STEM to mainstream society through relatable stories of the innovations and solutions of scientists, engineers and technologists. Season 2 of the show features TechWomen fellows Dilnoza Ibragimova (Uzbekistan, 2022) and Emna Harigua (Tunisia, 2022). The podcast version is also still available on most popular audio streaming platforms, with new episodes coming out this summer.

Report Date...: 05/15/2023

Fellow NGO collaborates with Riga TechGirls in Latvia

Fellow(s): Fellows: Elena Selezneva, Saida Yusupova

Country: Uzbekistan

Cohort: 2016

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Environmental Sustainability, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

Fellow NGO collaborates with Riga TechGirls in Latvia

Tech4Iimpact, an NGO founded by fellows Elena Selezneva and Saida Yusupova (Uzbekistan, 2016) recently sent a delegation to the TechChill conference in Latvia, April 26 to 28, as part of their program, “Female Founders Across Borders (FFAB),” which was co-organized with Riga TechGirls and funded by the Ministry of foreign affairs of Latvia. The delegation of finalists from the FFAB program, including startup founders and mentors, participated in panel discussions, pitch sessions, master classes and networking opportunities with global contemporaries. A cornerstones of the trip was the “Women in Tech Community Networking” event, held in Riga Castle, the official residence of the President of Latvia, which was attended by the First Ladies of Latvia and Estonia, Andra Levite and Sirje Karisas. Tech4Impact was founded in 2019 to support innovation, IT entrepreneurship and green tech among youth and women in Uzbekistan and the Central Asian region.

Report Date...: 05/08/2023

Kyrgyz Fellows host U.S. mentors for week of collaborative events in advance of Kazakhstan delegation

Fellow(s): Fellows: Kseniia Tysganova, Dinara Moldosheva, Darika Aldasheva and Kyzzhibek Batyrkanova

Country: Kyrgyzstan

Cohort: 2018, 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

Kyrgyz Fellows host U.S. mentors for week of collaborative events in advance of Kazakhstan delegation

In the week before the TechWomen delegation to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz fellow Kseniia Tysganova (2022), with the robust support of Dinara Moldosheva (2022), Darika Aldasheva (2022), Tursunai Bektemirova (2022), Nuraiym Azygalieva (2022), Bermet Dosmambetova (2022), Ainura Mitalipova (2022) and Kyzzhibek Batyrkanova (2019), independently collaborated with U.S. mentors Cora Lam, Kathy Giori, Jayme Farrell-Ranker, Meg Gordon, Debbie Whaley and Nancy Hendrickson, to initiate a self-directed agenda of workshops, panels and cultural events in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The several-day itinerary included workshops for schoolchildren and university students, master classes on leadership and technology trends and panel discussions. Highlights included visits with students, scientists and leaders of the Kyrgyz State Technical University, the Council of Young Scientists of the National Academy of Sciences, Billimkana American School and Ala-Too International Medical University. Workshops included Mentoring for Impact, led by Cora, and Physical Computing with MicroBlocks, led by Kathy. For the main event, the collaborators gathered with an audience at Ololo Planet, a creative hub and co-working venue in Bishkek, where mentors presented an overview of the TechWomen program and took part in a panel discussion moderated by Kyzzhibek. The Kyrgyz fellows also hosted a cultural send-off party for the mentors, who continued on to Kazakhstan, along with several Kyrgyz fellows, for the TechWomen delegation.

Report Date...: 05/01/2023

Fellow talks equity in tech in interview for The Ouut

Fellow(s): Tamadur Almahdi Abukhamadah (Libya, 2022)

Country: Libya

Cohort: 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Development

Fellow talks equity in tech in interview for The Ouut

Fellow Tamadur Almahdi Abukhamadah (Libya, 2022) was recently interviewed by online emerging market news platform The Ouut for an article entitled “African Women In Tech; Tamadur Almahdi Discusses, Tech, Empowerment [and] Participation.” “Women are more likely to do the work that is behind the scenes…and end up unrecognized,” Tamadur explained, sharing her thoughts on the gendered digital divide. “The continuous unrecognition of women’s impact in various organizational projects can leave them feeling unappreciated…and ultimately mean they leave the job they are really good at and really love.” Tamadur is the Chief of Staff at Speetar, a health tech startup that has brought accessible, affordable and quality healthcare to over two million patients in conflict-affected communities since its launch in 2020. “At Speetar, we’re committed to fostering an inclusive environment and promoting women in leadership roles,” the company shared in a post on Tamadur’s interview.

Report Date...: 04/10/2023

Fellow initiative hosts U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission to raise awareness of State exchange programs

Fellow(s): Janatu Veronica Sesay (Sierra Leone, 2022)

Country: Sierra Leone

Cohort: 2022

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Education Diplomacy/Mentoring, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

Fellow initiative hosts U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission to raise awareness of State exchange programs

STEM Girls Initiative Sierra Leone, a program of which fellow Janatu Veronica Sesay (Sierra Leone, 2022) is founder and CEO, recently hosted U.S. Embassy Freetown Deputy Chief of Mission Stephanie A. Bunce during an event held to raise awareness of exchange programs offered by the U.S. Department of State. Held at Njala University, the STEM Girls Initiative event was attended by hundreds of staff and students, to whom the U.S Embassy representatives provided insights and encouragement on eligibility and application for these programs and how to become part of a community of impact. Fellows from these programs, including TechWomen, Fulbright and YALI, also contributed to the program, sharing their exchange experiences and the positive impacts they’ve since been able to effect on their communities upon returning home. “TechWomen has helped me connect with changemakers across the globe and build lifelong relationships that will lead to collaboration,” and U.S. Public Relations Officer Sarah Van Horne, who was also in attendance at the event. STEM Girls Initiative Sierra Leone was born out of Janatu’s experience as a TechWomen Emerging Leader. It aims to raise awareness among junior and secondary school girls on how to find career paths in STEM, aligning with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal three (SDG3).

Report Date...: 04/10/2023

Fellow launches DigiWomen Camp with USAID Future Growth Initiative

Fellow(s): Merjen Saparmyradova (Turkmenistan, 2019)

Country: Turkmenistan

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

Fellow launches DigiWomen Camp with USAID Future Growth Initiative

Fellow Merjen Saparmyradova (Turkmenistan, 2019), founder and director of Sanly Bilim Educational Center in Turkmenistan, has recently launched DigiWomen Camp in partnership with USAID’s Future Growth Initiative. This four-month program provides access to spaces and training in IT and software development for women and girls over the age of 16. The nearly 100 participants to-date, upon successful fulfillment of the program, will earn a completion certificate and have developed a portfolio and/or finished product to kick-start their own IT business. DigWomen Camp is the first program of its kind in Turkmenistan. It aims to augment the qualifications of women and girls as a pipeline towards heightening their presence in the virtual and in-person IT job market in the country. “The first step towards increasing women’s and girls’ access to technology and digital spaces,” Merjen explained in a recent post, “is to promote digital education and actively support and encourage girls’ participation in related subjects.” Sanly Bilim Educational Center first began working with USAID projects in November of 2022, and in December partnered with the USAID Youth Development Project to host their six-month TechYouth Bootcamp, which provides tech training for youths aged 18 to 25 in the areas of web and mobile application development, user interface and experience (UI/UX), graphic design, and IT and system administration. In that same month, Merjen won the Alumni of the Year in Women’s Empowerment Award during the U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat’s first ever New Year’s Alumni Gala.

Report Date...: 3/27/2023

Fellow delivers keynote at innovation center launch

Fellow(s): Fellow Sebay Bintu Koroma, née Momoh (Sierra Leone, 2018)

Country: Sierra Leone

Cohort: 2018

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Entrepreneurship, Professional Development, Youth Engagement

Fellow delivers keynote at innovation center launch

Fellow Sebay Bintu Koroma, née Momoh (Sierra Leone, 2018) recently delivered the keynote address for the official launch of Kamara Yokie Innovation Center (KYIC), the first youth-owned and youth-led innovation center of its kind in Sierra Leone. The center aims to leverage modern entrepreneurial leadership and STEM education principles to unlock the potential of youths, with support and resources including free computers and robotics tools. “In an age shaped by technological advances,” Sebay recapped in a recent post, “it is imperative that young people have the know-how to create and operate technology and science-based solutions, as it is critical to their advancement…and will strengthen their agency in terms of decision-making over their health, financial and career choices.” Sebay is a petroleum engineer for Petroleum Directorate Sierra Leone.

Report Date...: 3/27/2023

Mentor named among 50 Women of Impact honorees

Fellow(s): Mentor Ishita Majumdar

Country:

Policy Area(s): Economic Impact, Empowering Women and Girls, Professional Development

Mentor named among 50 Women of Impact honorees

Mentor Ishita Majumdar was recently honored as one of the 50 “Women of Impact” awardees by Women Impact Tech, a woman-owned community that aims to advance gender equity in tech by promoting diverse, inclusive and equitable hiring and knowledge sharing practices. Honorees were selected for their significant efforts towards promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in a field that has been traditionally dominated by men. “This recognition is very special to me, as it amplifies my passion to ‘pay it forward’ as an ally, mentor, counsel and sponsor for women and men in their professional journeys,” Ishita wrote in a recent post. Ishita is Vice President of Data Analytics Platforms at eBay, where she has worked since 2014.

Report Date...: 3/27/2023

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