WomenInTech. Girls from Tajikistan on overcoming stereotypes and opportunities in IT

Two young women from Tajikistan shared how they overcome career stereotypes and use technology for social change. Read more in our interview.

Rukhmina Fakirova, city — Dushanbe, co-founder at Donotajikistan, Instagram

About Me

I am an 11th-grade student. Currently, most of my time is dedicated to the digital field and to the Dono startup, which we are developing with our team. Over this time, we have gone from an idea to a product concept and a public presentation of the project, which has become real experience for me in working with a product, a team, and responsibility. At the same time, I am preparing to study abroad and trying to understand which direction I want to develop in next.

Two years ago, I seriously started thinking about my career for the first time. I often discussed this with my dad, and he opened up the world of IT to me — he enrolled me in frontend courses. This was my first step into the digital field. Later, I became a volunteer at Ilmhona, and it was then that technology took up almost all my time: I learned from the people around me, observed how they think and work, and this inspired me greatly.

Over time, I realized that programming alone wasn't enough for me, and I wanted something new. I wanted to understand why a product is created and how it develops further, so I enrolled in marketing courses. This was one of the few cases where something captivated me so strongly.

This interest led me to marketing and eventually to the Dono startup. Dono became a key stage for me: here I apply everything I had studied before, and it helped me piece together the overall picture of my further path.

How I came to the IT profession

The IT field attracted me with the opportunity to really influence the world through technology, regardless of age, country, or gender. At the same time, for me, this field is not only about code and technical solutions but also about creativity, as it is primarily about finding non-standard ideas, experimenting, and creating solutions that truly help people.

About Stereotypes

I have encountered stereotypes, such as the idea that "IT is not a female field," or due to my age, especially at the beginning when I was just getting to know people. Fortunately, such situations were extremely rare.

Stereotypes can hinder not only in careers but also in life, but the best way to deal with them is to show results and maintain self-confidence. For example, in the frontend development course, I was the only girl in the group, but by the middle of the course, I noticed that my results not only matched but often surpassed those of the other guys.

Obstacles for Women in IT

One of the main difficulties is the need to constantly prove one's competence, both to others and to oneself. I encountered this even more often than stereotypes, which caused me to pause my activities for an indefinite period.

Gender plays a significant role, as women, in addition to their careers, have families, responsibilities, and "rules." It is difficult to balance all this without burning out. 

During such moments, I learn more, practice, and sometimes intentionally distract myself with something completely new to me.

The support of the team and mentors with whom I can discuss difficult moments and receive advice helps me greatly. But the most important thing is real results: the more I act, the less significance others' doubts have.

Recommendations for Those Just Starting Their Journey 

Don't be afraid to try and make mistakes — it is through practice that you will discover what truly interests you and where your strengths lie. Surround yourself with the right people, learn from them, and try to take on projects, even if at first it seems difficult. It helps significantly to record your small victories and see progress: this gives confidence and shows that you are moving in the right direction. And most importantly — trust yourself and your path, even if it doesn't match others' expectations.

Orzu Ganieva, city — Khujand, director of the public organization "Nasl", Facebook

About Me

My professional activity has formed at the intersection of social practice, gender equality, sustainable development, and digital solutions. Currently, I work at the intersection of education, eco-technologies, and social entrepreneurship, creating practical tools to empower women.

Currently, one of my key projects is the "Farmer's Journal" mobile application, aimed at developing digital and financial literacy among rural women and strengthening their economic independence through data analysis and income forecasting. The project took second place in the TechWomen competition, which was an important confirmation of its practical value.

How I came to the IT profession

For six years, I worked at the "Gulruhsor" crisis center, providing support to women who had suffered from violence. This experience clearly showed that one of the key reasons for women's vulnerability remains the lack of their own income and basic financial analysis skills. Economic dependence deprives a woman of the freedom to choose and the ability to make decisions.

Over time, it became obvious that for sustainable change, support and advocacy alone are not enough — practical tools are needed that give women independence. This transition from humanitarian work to finding applied solutions became the next stage of my professional development. 

For me, this project is a continuation of the same mission, but through digital tools: to give women knowledge, confidence, and real mechanisms for financial independence and a sustainable future.

Entering IT for me became a logical continuation of the search for solutions. Working with rural women, I saw that the lack of a system for tracking expenses, income, and monitoring agricultural activities directly affects their economic dependence.

Thus, the idea for the "Farmer's Journal" mobile application emerged — an accessible and adapted tool for the real conditions of rural women. Creating this product became my step into IT — in the role of an initiator of digital solutions, not just a user of technology.

About Stereotypes

It is common to face doubts about whether a woman can simultaneously understand social issues, finance, and technology. However, practice shows: when there is a working product and measurable impact behind an idea, stereotypes gradually lose their significance.

Recommendations for Those Just Starting Their Journey

Don't be afraid to enter IT through your real problem or idea — it is not necessary to start "by the book."

View technology as a tool for change, and definitely seek out communities and programs that support women — they provide not only knowledge but also self-confidence.