KABUL - The First Lady of Afghanistan, Rula Ghani, welcomed around 300 professional women to a summit in Kabul today aimed both at celebrating women’s role in the technology sector and encouraging more women into the field.    

Other speakers at the one-day TechWomen Summit 2015 included the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled, Nasrin Oryakhel and the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abul Razaq Wahidi, along with representatives from the international community, business and civil society.

Participants represented a diverse group of Kabul society including the technology sector, civil society, business, academia and government.

The First Lady said that Afghanistan is now in an historic period, with women actively stepping forward: “There are many challenges, but nothing can stop women from playing an active role in society and building their country.”

Mrs. Ghani pointed to a number of successful women who have navigated problems before reaching their goals. She encouraged other women to follow in their footsteps.    

Ms. Oryakhel said that it is unacceptable that only 29 per cent of women work and more needs to be done to give women equal rights.

“The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled has many plans in place for women to have equal access to services, including promotion of their access to technology through training and other awareness-raising initiatives,” said Ms. Oryakhel.

Mr. Wahidi said women still have problems in accessing services due to traditional constraints, but the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is trying to pave the way for women through solutions such as tele-education, access to jobs and provision of information.

President of Kabul-based technology and entrepreneurship firm Technation, Omar Mansoor Ansari, told the audience that joint efforts can lead the country to be a technology hub for the region.

Shabana Mansoory, founder of a network of women in technology, Techwomen Afghanistan, said that globally, countries which have focused on technology have made dramatic progress in all arenas. Afghanistan aspires to follow the same route towards stability and prosperity.

“Incorporating women into this process of technological advancement will be crucial for sustainability and genuine progress,” said Ms. Mansoory.

The TechWomen Summit was organized by TechNation and TechWomen Afghanistan, in collaboration with the National ICT Alliance of Afghanistan and the British Embassy in Kabul.