The Results from The Tech: How Women in Tech Tajikistan Built a Sustainable Community in One Year

Zarina Achilova, City — Dushanbe, Director of Women in Tech Tajikistan, LinkedIn

Strategy and Development

2025 was a year of intensive launch and confirmation of the high demand for the initiative for Women in Tech Tajikistan. It is fundamentally important to emphasize that the official launch of the community took place only in late September, meaning that the active and most intensive phase of the project lasted less than a year.

Despite the short period, a solid foundation was established: a working team and expert support were formed, educational and career initiatives were launched, and an active community of women and girls interested in technology and digital development was created.

During this period, more than 1,400 people participated in the events and activities of Women in Tech Tajikistan. At the same time, the online community grew: the audience in social networks and messengers increased organically, and the engagement of participants demonstrated sustained interest in the project.

It is particularly important to note that even at the launch stage, Women in Tech Tajikistan received support and attention from government bodies and international organizations. This level of involvement showed that the development of digital skills among women is viewed not as a one-time social initiative, but as a long-term direction related to economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development. For a young community, this became an important factor in the rapid growth of trust and interest from the audience and partners.

The key achievement of 2025 was that the project was able to transition from an idea to real results in a short time and establish itself as a focal point for women who view technology not only as a profession but also as a tool for personal, professional, and social growth.

Events and Projects

Throughout 2025, the activities of Women in Tech Tajikistan were built around practical and applied formats. The community conducted educational workshops, career meetings, panel discussions, and events aimed at discussing the role of technology in social and economic development.

The events that received the most positive response from participants were those dedicated to the practical use of artificial intelligence, digital tools for business, and career opportunities in IT. Participants noted the value of formats where knowledge could be immediately applied in practice—in work, business, or personal projects.

A special place in the year's program was occupied by the official opening of Women in Tech Tajikistan. This event became not only a symbolic start but also a substantive platform for dialogue between the community, business, government, and international partners.

Successful Cases

One of the most illustrative and inspiring cases was the STEM & Social Impact Pitch Competition, held as part of the official opening of Women in Tech Tajikistan. The competition was dedicated to digital solutions for the social sector and generated significant interest among participants.

From a large number of applications, three best projects were selected. These initiatives received partial financial support and are currently in the implementation phase.

The first place was taken by the ClassScan project—a digital tool for automating school testing. The solution allows teachers to quickly collect student answers, obtain analytics, and adapt the educational process without the need for children to use smartphones. The project is aimed at improving the efficiency and quality of school education.

The second place was taken by the "Farmer's Journal" project—a mobile application for financial accounting and planning in the agricultural sector. The project aims to improve the financial literacy of farmers and has already passed the pilot implementation stage, demonstrating practical demand.

The third place was awarded to the StudyMap project—a digital platform that helps applicants systematize the university admission process: from document storage and deadline tracking to preparation planning. The project is particularly valuable because it addresses a real and widespread problem in the field of education.

These projects clearly showed that women and girls in Tajikistan are ready not only to master technology but also to create digital products with a pronounced social impact.

Educational Initiatives

The most significant impact was made by practical educational initiatives focused on applied skills. First of all, these are workshops on the use of AI tools, digital skills for business, communications, and career development.

Participants noted that such formats helped them look at technology anew—as an accessible and useful tool, rather than as a complex and closed field. For many, these initiatives became a starting point for further learning and professional growth.

One of the strongest and most valuable results of 2025 was the exceptionally positive reaction of women and girls. Participants actively engaged in events, returned to subsequent events, shared feedback, and recommended the community to others.

Women in Tech Tajikistan became for many the first space where interest in technology was perceived as a natural and supported choice.

In 2025, the greatest interest among participants was shown in applied artificial intelligence, digital tools for business and communications, data analytics, technology in education and the social sector, as well as the digitalization of service and customer experience.

Plans

In 2026, Women in Tech Tajikistan plans to transition from the rapid launch stage to scaling and systematic development. The focus will be on expanding regional presence, launching more structured educational tracks, and developing mentoring and leadership initiatives.

Particular emphasis will be placed on strengthening interaction with government bodies and international organizations. We view such cooperation as a key element of long-term development—when community initiatives complement national priorities in the field of digitalization, education, and economic growth, and international experience helps to accelerate and scale best practices.

The goal of the next stage is to form a sustainable ecosystem in which women and girls will be able not only to enter the field of technology but also to actively participate in shaping the country's digital future.