Tech4Equality Talk on International Women’s Day in Tbilisi

The United Nations in Georgia marked International Women’s day with a Tech4Equality talk to discuss new ways of supporting women and girls in technology and science.

The focus was on the “generational breakthrough” now taking place, which has the potential to make the women and girls in these fields a driving force for social change.

Louisa Vinton, UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia, opened the event and the stage for a row of inspiring speakers.

“Technology is a sector still dominated by men, where women are often made to feel unwelcome,” she said. “Yet our speakers today show that women have what it takes to succeed, in fields from microbiology to disability-sensitive technologies.”

“Our message is that equal participation by women in technology and science is essential to designing the kinds of solutions we need to meet the existential challenges that the world is facing today.”

People from different fields told their stories and described how they became successful in their careers.

Despite the fact that many of them had to face challenges and struggles, they kept going. Some speakers were UN and governmental representatives, who laid down the structural perspectives and official efforts.

Others were women leading in science and technology, who told their personal experiences working in the tech world.

The message was that new steps need to be taken to ease the access to science and technology for young women, such as working overcome stereotypes in technology-related jobs and transform the often hostile environment in tech that pushes women out.

Speakers included: Nana Dikhaminjia, Computer Engineering professor; Natia Ninikelashvili, founder of the online service soplidan.ge; Esma Gumberidze, promoter of disability-sensitive technology; David Chechelashvili, Vice President of Marketing at iZ3D Inc.; Mariam Rusishvili, CEO and founder of QUICK|CASH AI; Maia Todua, Director of Abastumani Observatory; and Ani Tsitsishvili, microbiologist, veterinarian and artist.

The talk was attended by UN and government representatives, the ambassador of Sweden to Georgia and Armenia, and students. It was organized in cooperation with the Administration of the President of Georgia, Gender Equality Council of the Parliament of Georgia, the governments of Sweden and Norway, and the ‘Innovation Support Fund’.