DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality 

IPKO Foundation and its partners, the UN Women's Office in Kosovo and Women in Tech Kosovo, celebrated International Women's Day with the theme "DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality." 

Around 30 young girls from municipalities such as Pristina, Fushë Kosova, Lipjan, and Gjilan participated in the event, where they had the opportunity to talk closely with the President of Kosovo, Her Excellency Ms. Vjosa Osmani, and be inspired by her speech and messages. 

The young girls had the honor of also listening to inspirational speeches and their career success stories from two of the most distinguished women in the technology sector in Kosovo, such as the Women in Tech Ambassador, Teuta Sahatqija, and the leader of the Digital School/StarLabs, Hana Qerimi. 

Ms. Vlora Tuzi Nushi, Head of the UN Women's Office in Kosovo, opened the event by highlighting the purpose of gathering by saying that on International Women’s Day, in many places, people celebrate the achievements of women, while in other places, people are still discussing the great setbacks women still occur in many developing countries. She also mentioned the importance of Artificial Intelligence in Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.  

Ms. Arnhild Spence, the UN Development Coordinator in Kosovo, started her speech by spotlighting Ms. Vjosa Osmani, being a true inspiration to young girls as the second female president. “Her leadership is critical for advancing the lives of women and girls in Kosovar society.” She emphasizes the importance of the inclusion of women in the digital world, knowing that technology is becoming more and more significant in our everyday lives and that women’s participation is crucial in decision-making. As Ms.Arnhild Spence quotes, “Together let's work for a more inclusive just world for women and girls.”  

Meanwhile, Adelina Qarri - Senior Program Manager of IPKO Foundation, said that the organization she represents would continue its mission to empower young women and girls to follow their career paths in the technology field. 

Her Excellency Ms. Vjosa Osmani began her speech by stating that the commitment and support given to girls and women for Women's Day should be at these levels daily, 365 days a year, without distinction, and that only then would gender equality be achieved without conditions.  

As the President, Ms. Vjosa Osmani, said, “Let's work continuously to guarantee safe digital spaces for women and girls because work requires security, and success is guaranteed with meritocracy. The present and the future are more promising when women are treated with the respect they deserve”.  

Ms. Vjosa Osmani inspired the young girls by sharing the steps she took in her career and how she got to where she is today, reminding the young women and emphasizing that to climb the ladder of success, they must take it step by step and have patience along the way. 

Finally, the main message of the President Ms. Vjosa Osmani for the present girls was never to stop working for their dreams and, more importantly, not to stop believing in themselves.  

At the event, the young women could also listen to the successful and challenging career journey of the Women in Tech Ambassador, Ms.Teuta Sahatqija. She elaborated on how difficult it was to be a woman in STEM back then, with all the gender roles and lack of trust in her work from her professors and society, to the point that she almost doubted herself if she could make it in the field. Ms. Sahatqija explains how she came back stronger than ever, to pursue a career in STEM.  

She conveys the message to the present young girls through her story that if she made it possible to succeed and pursue her dreams in the digital world with the circumstances back then, when women in tech, business, and so on were barely present in the workplace, with today’s tools and opportunities, there’s nothing that will stop them from succeeding. 

Ms. Sahatqija brought a different perspective regarding the challenges girls and women face by saying that those challenges will only solidify and ensure that women are stronger than their challenges. As she says, “Choose the dream you want to follow, and don’t let anyone stop you!” 

To finish the motivational tech talks, the leader of the Digital School/StarLabs, Ms. Hana Qerimi, shared her own success story of how, by daring to take risks and grab the opportunities on her way, she made it to where she is today. She advised the young girls to DARE TO SAY YES. By being brave and daring, you will go even further than expected. 

The main message the young girls got from the amazing women sharing their success stories was to continue believing that YOU CAN. Keep believing in yourself and your dreams, and if you said no, respond with WHY NOT? Because there is nothing that women can’t do.  

To finish the event, Elda Ajvazi - among the dozens of participating girls - received a one-year scholarship from the Digital School, thus being rewarded for the curiosity, courage, and inspiration she showed.