WomenInTech. "The Power of Being Yourself," — Women Talk About Working in IT Without Stereotypes

Umida Ziyamova, city — Tashkent, member of the Board of Directors of Click JSC, member of the Expert Council of the FinTech Association of Uzbekistan, strategic communications consultant, LinkedIn, Instagram

About Me

I am a woman who believes in the power of technology and, more importantly, in the power of women. Today, I hold several key roles: I am a member of the Board of Directors of Click, I advise international organizations, and I am part of the Expert Council of the FinTech Association of Uzbekistan. My focus is on digital transformation, sustainable development, and strategic communications, as well as implementing technologies that make people's lives simpler and more accessible.

Currently, I provide strategic support for research aimed at studying the financial and non-financial needs of women entrepreneurs. The goal is to help banks develop products based on real-life situations and cultural context. This is an important step toward building trusting relationships between women and financial institutions, as well as creating a truly inclusive economic environment.

At the same time, it is important for me to maintain a balance between career and family — I am a mother of two children and strive to pass on the main values to them: belief in oneself, the pursuit of knowledge, and respect for labor.

How I Entered the IT Profession

My career began in the telecommunications sector, where I worked for 11 years and personally confirmed that technology can change everyday life — making it more convenient, faster, and transparent. My path in IT started with the position of Commercial Director at Atmos, where I gained my first managerial and product skills in a digital environment. Together, we developed a startup in the field of online payments, which eventually became part of a broader digital transformation — from the banking sector to educational institutions and utility services. We were among the first to implement solutions that now seem commonplace: for example, automatic loan repayments, automation of business processes. But back then, these were innovations that we implemented step by step to make financial services more accessible, understandable, and closer to people.

Then I continued my career as Country Manager at the foreign company Freedom Pay, where I was responsible for developing international FinTech solutions and expanding the ecosystem of digital payments. This experience became a solid foundation for my further professional growth in the field of e-commerce and financial technologies.

About Stereotypes

Like many girls growing up in Central Asia, I encountered stereotypes. In childhood, I dreamed of playing the piano, but I often heard: "You can't eat with music," "Learn to be a good housewife," and so on. Back then, it seemed like something normal, even natural. But my love for music stayed with me — it was always an internal guide, a reminder of how important it is to listen to yourself, not just the expectations of others. Later, in high school, I finally started studying the piano.

In the professional sphere, there were also moments when I had to go against the current. I was one of the few women in the field of financial technologies — especially in leadership and strategic positions. But with each task, with each project, I became more convinced that stereotypes exist only as long as we agree with them. If you move forward despite them, you can not only change the rules of the game but also inspire others to do the same.

Barriers for Women in IT

In my opinion, one of the significant difficulties that women in IT and FinTech face is the lack of support and an environment that helps them grow. I am close to the idea of creating communities where you can share experience, find mentors, and learn from each other. Sometimes it is precisely informal support and the opportunity to be among "your own" that gives you the confidence to take the next step.

Currently, I participate in the work of the FinTech Association of Uzbekistan, where together with a strong team of mentors, we strive to strengthen financial literacy, develop digital skills, and pass on practical knowledge that is important for growth in such areas as FinTech and e-commerce. This is valuable experience that shows how important regular meetings, open dialogue, and long-term support are.

Recommendations for Those Just Starting Their Path

Do not rush to become "successful" — rush to be alive. Listen to yourself. Learn. Try. Fall. And get up again. Because the path is not about speed. It is about being true to yourself.

1. Start small, but dream big.
2. Ask questions. Learn. Do not be afraid of mistakes; they are part of your growth.
3. Find your people. Women should not be competition but support for each other.
4. Surround yourself with those who inspire, support, and help you move forward.
5. Remember: no one knows what is right. But every day is a new chance.

Adiba Ziyoeva, city — Dushanbe, frontend tech lead, LinkedIn

About Me

I am a frontend tech lead at Alif Tech. I lead the development and enhancement of the UI Kit — a library of user interfaces used within the company to create unified and high-quality interfaces. I am responsible for component architecture, adherence to the design system, and interaction with the team of designers, developers, and product managers.

I have always been interested in solving logical problems and doing something that actually works and brings value. I graduated from Moscow State University with a degree in "Applied Mathematics and Informatics" and received a master's degree from ITMO University in the field of "Machine Learning and Data Analysis."

Gradually, I studied technologies, tried myself in different projects, and realized that this was "my thing." Frontend attracted me with its combination of logic and visuals.

How I Entered the IT Profession

I started with frontend development, taking on various tasks — from markup to configuring complex logic in React. Gradually, I deepened my knowledge in interface design and internal component libraries. Currently, I am in the role of UI Kit development lead and influence the approaches to development and standards that we apply in the team.

About Stereotypes

There were no specific stereotypes directed at me, but sometimes there was a feeling that women in development are expected to do "something different" — it's nice that you are here at all, but you are not taken seriously right away. Some girls have to prove their expertise through work, initiative, and stable results. Over time, recognition comes naturally if you consistently develop and confidently take on responsibility.

Barriers for Women in IT

One of the difficulties is the need to constantly prove one's competence, especially in a male-dominated environment. In addition, women have fewer role models in IT, especially in technical leadership roles. Self-confidence, willingness to take responsibility, and a clear understanding of my value in the team helped me. It is also important to be able to talk about your achievements and not be afraid to ask for a raise or new tasks.

Recommendations for Those Just Starting Their Path

1. Do not be afraid to ask questions and try new things.
2. Build your environment — find mentors and colleagues with whom you can share experience.
3. Do not focus on others' expectations: it is better to focus on how you want to grow and develop. Even if the path is not straight, the main thing is to move forward.