Ms. Antje Grawe, UNRC Speech at Official Launch of the Kyrgyzstan Chapter of Women in Tech

Honorable Minister of Economy and Commerce,
Ambassadors,
Distinguished guests, partners, and most importantly, the women and girls shaping the future of technology in Kyrgyzstan,

Today, we are not just launching a new chapter of Women in Tech—we are rewriting the code of opportunity for Kyrgyzstan’s future. We are stepping beyond the usual rhetoric of "women’s empowerment" and straight into the reality of what must change: Who writes the algorithms that shape our lives? Who builds the digital future we will all inhabit? And who decides what technological innovations truly serve humanity?

For too long, the answer has been: not enough women, not enough girls.

Yet, today, Kyrgyzstan is sending a clear message: the future is digital, and it will not be shaped by half of society alone. It will be built by all of us—women and men—because when we exclude women from technology, we don’t just exclude talent; we exclude innovation, creativity, and economic growth. And we might reinforce gender biases for example in the use of AI technology given that only 20% of women are connected to the internet in low-income countries.

By 2030, the world could face a shortage of over 85 million skilled tech workers. Encouraging more women into the field is not just about gender equality—it is an economic necessity.

A 2023 published UNDP Needs Assessment on Women in STEM found that only 31.3% of STEM graduates in the Kyrgyzstan are women. This is not due to lack of interest—studies show that girls are just as curious about science and technology as boys. But along the way, something happens. Gender stereotypes creep in. Societal expectations take over, subtly but persistently suggesting that technology is a male-dominated world.

Yet, momentum is building.

In 2023, the sixty-seventh session of the Commission on the Status of Women called for digital transformation that empowers women. Just five months ago, at the Summit of the Future in September 2024, President Japarov joined world leaders in adopting the Global Digital Compact, a commitment to make technology inclusive, accessible, and free from discrimination. As UN Secretary-General António Guterres has put it, women play an elementary role in this endeavor: "Women are leading the charge to make technology safer, more accessible, more inclusive, and better regulated." 

Today’s launch of the Women in Tech Kyrgyzstan chapter seems to me as a direct response to this vision.

So, what does this mean for us today? 

It means we must rethink how we invest in the future:

1. From classroom to career, we must make sure girls see that technology is a space where they belong. The Within STEM4Girlsprogram, which has already reached 17,000 young minds in Kyrgyzstan, has shown that early exposure matters. But it is not enough for girls to be interested in STEM—they need to see a future in it.
2. From talent to leadership, we have to make sure that women not only enter tech—they must lead it. Whether in AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, or green tech, women must be at the forefront, shaping the technologies that will respond and shape to our society’s needs.
3. From bias to opportunity, we must make sure technology does not reinforce discrimination. AI is already shaping our world, but it is also replicating existing biases. Without more women in STEM, the world will continue to be primarily designed by and for men.

The UN System in Kyrgyzstan stands firmly behind this effort, aiming to equip women and girls with the necessary skills, confidence, and opportunities to thrive in the digital economy.

But we need collective action from the private sector to actively recruit, mentor, and promote women in tech; from educational institutions to inspire young women to pursue STEM fields; and from policymakers to develop gender-responsive tech policies.

The cost of inaction is staggering. Studies show that increasing women’s participation in STEM could boost global earnings by $299 billion over the next decade. Imagine what it could do for Kyrgyzstan’s economy, its innovation landscape, and its future.

The Kyrgyzstan Chapter of Women in Tech is not just about inspiring women to enter this field—it’s about ensuring they lead, innovate and redefine it. So let us build a future where young girls in Bishkek, Osh, Talas and Karakol do not hesitate when asked, “Can I be a tech leader?”—because they will already know the answer.

Thank you.