WomenInTech. "In IT, knowledge matters more than gender," — inspiring stories of women in the IT field

Saida Khalilova, city — Tashkent, project manager at an IT educational center, specialist in the department for organizing mass events, head of the IT Ladies community, Instagram, LinkedIn

About Me

I work in the IT field, specializing primarily in project management. Currently, I support women and also work as a specialist in the department for organizing mass IT events. I have always been interested in how technology can improve our lives, which is why I have built my career in this area.

How I entered the IT profession

My journey began with managing an educational center in the IT sector. Then, I gained my first experience in a project to train teachers from remote regions using the Scratch course, where I encountered a lack of management experience. That was my first experience. Over time, I had to overcome many obstacles: gender inequality, work-life balance, and stress due to numerous responsibilities — from finding qualified IT specialists for the project to organizing educational materials, learning spaces, and supervising teachers and students.

Initially, I was interested in programming, but I wasn't sure if IT was for me. I took my first steps thanks to my first project. When I saw that I could solve real problems and create useful projects, I realized that this was exactly what I wanted to do.

About Stereotypes

Unfortunately, stereotypes in IT still exist. For example, sometimes it felt like women were perceived as less competent than men with the same skills. I also encountered situations where women in the team were expected to provide more "communication" and "support" rather than technical expertise. Over time, I learned to ignore bias and simply prove my skills through action.

Barriers for Women in IT

1. Lack of role models. There are few examples of successful female leaders in IT, making the path seem more difficult.
2. Imposter syndrome. Sometimes it feels like you are not good enough, even when you are.
3. Work-life balance. If you have a family, it becomes a challenge.

Overcoming these difficulties is helped by the support of colleagues, finding mentors, and self-belief. I tried to find people who inspired me, learn from them, and not be afraid to try new things.

Recommendations for Those Just Starting Their Journey

 1. Don't be afraid to try — the more practice, the faster you will figure out what you like.

 2. Learn from the best — find mentors, watch how successful people work.

 3. Be active — participate in hackathons, conferences, and open projects.

 4. Don't be afraid to ask for help — in IT, everyone is constantly learning from each other.

 5. Set challenges for yourself — take on complex tasks that will help you grow.

The main thing is to believe in yourself and not be afraid to move forward. IT is a field that values skills and knowledge, not gender.

Asylzat Isataeva, city — Almaty, CEO of AIDENTIS, Instagram 

About Me

I am the CEO and co-founder of the startup AIDENTIS, which develops a platform for diagnosing dental diseases using artificial intelligence. Our goal is to improve the quality and speed of diagnosis in dentistry by providing doctors with tools for more accurate and rapid analysis of images. Currently, I am focused on product development, collaboration with clinics and experts in medicine and technology, as well as strategic management of the company.

How I entered the IT profession

I graduated from the Republican Physics and Mathematics School (RFMS) and then from the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. My career began in the audit department of Ernst & Young. For graduates, this is an excellent place to work: you can improve hard skills and study the industry from the inside. Soon, I realized the potential of working with big data and decided to develop in this direction. I gained experience in companies working with government data, retail, and telecommunications. Then, my journey in the MedTech industry began.

The transition to the IT sector was a natural step, given my background in mathematics and analytics. I saw huge potential in working with big data and applying it to improve medical services. The idea to use artificial intelligence for dental diagnosis arose from a desire to help doctors, such as my father, make the diagnostic process more accurate and efficient. Thus, AIDENTIS was born — a startup aimed at automating image interpretation and providing dentists with tools for better treatment planning.

About Stereotypes

In my career path, I rarely encountered stereotypes related to gender or age. I believe that stereotypical thinking is a limitation, and I do not allow it to influence my work. My approach is to focus on the quality of the work performed and building trusting relationships with colleagues and partners. I am confident that results speak for themselves and are the best proof of professionalism.

Barriers for Women in IT

One of the main difficulties is the low percentage of women in high-tech industries, especially in the field of artificial intelligence. Many still perceive AI as a supplementary tool, although it opens up huge opportunities for creating innovative businesses.

Working in DeepTech startups requires full dedication, and balancing career and personal life can be a challenge. Here, support from loved ones and the ability to delegate are especially important — currently, there are more opportunities for this than ever before.

By creating AIDENTIS, I want to show that women can be leaders in the field of artificial intelligence. The history of technology proves that women have always made significant contributions to science and innovation. Today, in the era of AI, we have a unique chance to take our place in this revolution.

Photo by Elements Agency

Recommendations for Those Just Starting Their Journey

1. Do not betray yourself and your desires.
2. Invest in education and development — this is your main asset.
3. Mediocrity is the grayness in which potential drowns. Strive to do better than required.