The Association at the Women’s Economic Forum: Empowering Women in Tech

The Women’s Economic Forum, organized by the Business Federation “Women for Tomorrow”, in collaboration with Gazelle Finance and Visa, gathered around 300 participants to discuss key issues related to women entrepreneurs in Georgia. The event, titled “Women in Business,” aimed to highlight the major challenge of access to finance faced by women and explored opportunities available through various international, public, and private sector initiatives.

The panels included representatives from organizations such as the European Union, UNDP, USAID, and the EBRD. They discussed the steps their organizations are taking to improve women’s access to finance and advisory services in Georgia. Private financial institutions presented various funding opportunities, while government agencies like Enterprise Georgia, the Rural Development Agency, and GITA focused on grant and co-financing programs supported by state and international donors.

This forum served as a vital platform for addressing gender-specific barriers in business and providing practical solutions to empower women economically.

The Association of Georgian Virtual Zone Persons attended this event and strongly supports breaking the stigma that the IT field is a “man’s profession” and is dedicated to inspiring more women to engage in the sector. The Association believes that more discussions are needed to raise awareness and to create an inclusive environment where women feel empowered to pursue careers in technology. Their focus is on dismantling these stereotypes and showing that women can excel in IT and business, just as men can.

The Association advocates that more open discussions are necessary, both in professional circles and in public spaces, to address and challenge the gender stereotypes that hinder women from entering the IT field. They emphasize that the key to overcoming this stigma lies in sustained efforts to raise awareness and provide community support.

Importance of Women in Tech

Globally, the importance of women in tech cannot be overstated. Studies have shown that diverse teams are more innovative and productive. According to UNDP reports, countries that invest in gender equality have seen better economic outcomes. However, challenges persist:

– Women make up only about 28% of the global tech workforce.

– In Georgia, despite legislative efforts, women’s participation in tech remains low, with societal and financial barriers limiting access to education and professional opportunities.

By supporting women in these fields, the Association not only helps individuals but also contributes to the larger goal of advancing gender equality in IT Sector.