The dialogue aimed to share the experience of the European Union and Uzbekistan in inclusive digital governance and to develop practical recommendations for strengthening women’s leadership in public-sector ICT. The central idea of the event was moving from women’s presence in the workplace to real decision-making authority.

Participants included Edgars Kaktiņš, Deputy Ambassador of Latvia to Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of government agencies, academia, civil society and international organizations, among them more than 20 women actively working in ICT.

The event was opened by K. Sobirova, Advisor to the Minister of Digital Technologies, followed by opening remarks from Deputy Ambassador Edgars Kaktiņš.

A fireside chat titled “Inclusive Digital Governance and Women’s Leadership in ICT: Local Voices” examined the role of women’s leadership in the Digital Uzbekistan – 2030 strategy and whether it would be advisable to supplement the strategy accordingly. Participants also considered steps the Ministry could take to help women advance from entry-level positions to leadership roles, given the growing number of women studying and working in ICT.

The practical part of the event was held in a World Café format on the topic “Inclusive Digital Transformation Policy: A Gender Perspective, the European Union and Uzbekistan.” Participants exchanged views on five topics, moving from identifying problems to finding solutions:

• reasons why women’s careers slow down or stall;
• the gap between formal positions and actual authority;
• the supportive role of families, mahallas (local communities) and male managers;
• the practical effectiveness of existing laws and programs;
• protection from online harassment and safety concerns.

At the close of the discussion, participants worked to define three recommendations for the Ministry of Digital Technologies through 2030, together with those responsible for implementing them and criteria for success. The recommendations drawn up from the discussion have been prepared for submission to the Ministry.

The event concluded with closing remarks, networking and the presentation of certificates of participation.

For reference: WLICT (Women Leadership in the Public ICT Sector) is a EUR 15.1 million initiative funded by the European Union. It is implemented by a consortium led by Expertise France, whose members include Latvia’s Central Finance and Contracting Agency. The initiative supports gender-responsive digital policymaking, broader access to STEM education for girls and young women, and efforts to counter technology-facilitated gender-based violence in 16 priority partner countries, including Uzbekistan.