How schoolgirls from Tajikistan create mobile apps and conquer international competitions

In Tajikistan, a generation of girls is emerging who are confidently mastering technology, creating mobile applications, and offering solutions to social problems. For five years, the Technovation Girls Tajikistan program has helped schoolgirls aged 16–18 take their first steps in STEM and entrepreneurship, becoming part of a global initiative that unites more than 100 countries and 30,000 participants annually.

In the new season, Technovation Girls is expanding its format and strengthening collaboration with the country’s technology sector. Local IT companies and educational organizations are joining the program to participate in mentoring, expert evaluation, and team support.

Organizations supporting the season include IT Run, Silk Road Professionals, Google Developers Group in Khujand, Oogway Comics, the Academy “Innovatsiyai oyandaso,” the “Imon” Foundation, Nexigol Group, and other representatives of the local IT community.

The Women in Tech Tajikistan community plays a special role in developing women in STEM, supporting the program both in Dushanbe and Khujand. Women in Tech experts participate in mentoring, professional guidance, and team development, and help promote initiatives aimed at increasing girls’ participation in technology.

One notable example of this collaboration was the success of Technovation Girls participants with the StudyMap project. At a pitch event organized by Women in Tech, the team took third place and received funding to further develop their solution. This result demonstrates how the synergy between two initiatives—Technovation Girls and Women in Tech—creates real opportunities for young female developers to grow and turn their ideas into working products.

This expanded partnership model makes the 2026 season particularly significant: now each team gains access to a broader range of expertise, mentorship, and professional opportunities, while girls connect with a community that supports their journey in technological education and careers.

The Learning Process

Participants go through the full cycle of creating a mobile application: from problem analysis to publishing a prototype. The educational process includes:

— basics of programming and mobile development
— UX/UI design and design thinking
— user research and needs analysis
— business model development and project presentation
— pitch preparation and participation in a local exhibition.

The program does not require prior technical skills—the curriculum is designed so that girls with varying levels of preparation can successfully complete the season.

Program Achievements in Tajikistan

During the implementation of the program in Tajikistan, significant results have been achieved:

— more than 500 participants from 16 regions have completed the training
— more than 50 mobile prototypes have been created
— six teams became Global Semi-Finalists and advanced to the international stage of the competition
— projects covered topics such as ecology, safety, education, health, and social support.

These achievements demonstrate that girls in Tajikistan are actively engaging in technological processes and are capable of offering solutions to pressing issues.

Technovation Girls in Tajikistan is implemented by Junior Achievement Tajikistan, and since 2024, also by American Space Khujand, with financial support from the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe.

The development and coordination of the project are led by Khushbakt Karimov, Anzurat Kasymova, and Farangis Shokirova, together with a team of volunteers, mentors, and experts. They create an environment where girls can learn safely, receive support, and believe in their own abilities.