Women on Boards Albania | October Newsletter Edition Special Edition: Rise of Women in Tech – A Social Revolution or a Technological Leap?
In this special edition of newsletter, WOB recaps the impactful discussions from their recent webinar “Rise of Women in Tech: A Social Revolution or a Technological Leap?” held on October 4th, 2024. This event gathered experts, thought leaders, and changemakers to explore how technology is transforming opportunities for women in leadership, with a focus on the tech industry.
Key Highlights and Personal Reflections
As the moderator, Albana Vrioni highlighted the positive consensus among participants that technology serves as an opportunity for women’s growth. She stated,
“Women are the principal agents of their growth. Every advancement a woman makes, contributes to her further development in return.”
Her perspective set the tone for a constructive dialogue on the intersection of technology and women’s leadership.
Fatbardha Rino emphasized the importance of leveraging technology for professional development, saying,
“The rise of technology presents an opportunity for women to grow alongside it.”
She encouraged participants to seize opportunities to enhance their skills and advance their careers, reflecting on how accessible technology can serve as a catalyst for progress.
Jonida Lakuriqi brought attention to the need for equitable access to technology. She noted,
“The challenge lies in making technology affordable and ensuring that more people adopt it and understand its benefits.”
Her remarks focused on the importance of bridging the digital gap, especially in light of the significant role technology played during the pandemic.
These insights underscore the potential of technology to empower women in leadership roles. In this edition, we will further explore the impact of technology on women’s advancement, the challenges we face, and effective strategies for promoting accessibility.
Albana Vrioni also shared a deeply personal experience—her youngest son, born prematurely, survived because of advanced medical technology, an incubator she described as a “cosmic ship.” This story was a reminder of the life-saving power of innovation and technology in everyday life.
Poll Results and Insights
Throughout the webinar, we conducted several polls to understand participants’ views on the role of technology in empowering women in leadership and how women in return can expand technology’s impact for the good of company and the society.
Here are the results and insights from the discussions:
Poll 1: What is primary in advancing women in leadership roles in tech?
Panelists expressed their perspective on how willpower is often underestimated, and they believed it to be a driving force behind any achievement.
Fatbardha Rino highlights that although talent and skills are important for career growth, the key factor in advancing women in leadership roles, especially in tech, is strong willpower and determination. She points out that women often face additional challenges due to societal and family responsibilities, which makes resilience crucial. Success in tech doesn’t require a formal background in the field, but it’s essential to embrace technology, stay curious, and continuously develop skills to thrive in today’s tech-driven industries.
Poll 2: The growth of women in tech is:
- A result of social innovation: 20%
- A social necessity: 33%
- A reflection of women’s self-development: 47%
Albana Vrioni and Fatbardha Rino highlight the transformative impact of technology on women’s empowerment. Albana views technology as a catalyst that helps women expand their knowledge and create new opportunities for growth. Fatbardha agrees, noting that technological and social advancements have broken down barriers, creating a more open and supportive environment for women. Both point out that while technology provides many opportunities for women, it also introduces challenges that need to be addressed.
Poll 3: Does technology play a pivotal role in empowering women?
- Fully: 86%
- Partially: 14%
- Not at all: 0%
Jonida commented that the 14% who voted “partially” should reflect on how powerful technology truly is. She emphasizes that the true power of technology lies in its ability to democratize opportunities for women, especially those in rural areas. She highlights how technology enables women working from home to create and market their businesses online, a trend that surged during the pandemic. Jonida also shares the success of Vodafone Albania’s Bright Sky app, which provides support to women facing domestic violence, demonstrating the positive impact technology can have on women’s lives. She notes the growing interest in STEM among girls, reflecting technology’s expanding influence.
Poll 4: Is the rise of technology:
- An opportunity for women’s growth: 100%
- A challenge: 0%
The unanimous response of 100% viewing technology as an opportunity for women’s growth delighted Albana Vrioni, aligning with the event’s empowering theme. She acknowledged that while the rapid pace of technological change can pose challenges for women to balance their roles within their ecosystems, it ultimately provides significant growth potential. Fatbardha Rino emphasized that embracing technology is essential for professional development, urging women to seize every opportunity for growth. She highlighted that technology offers access to valuable resources and information, enabling women to stay updated and succeed in their careers.
Poll 5: Effective ways to integrate self, society, and technology for growth:
- Integrating tech into entrepreneurship: 13%
- Integrating tech into education: 20%
- Purposeful use of technology: 20%
- Balancing human-nature-tech: 47%
The responses to the poll on integrating self, society, and technology for growth reflect a diverse understanding of the relationship between these elements, with the highest percentage (47%) focusing on balancing human, nature, and technology. Jonida Lakuriqi emphasized that all proposed integration methods are valuable and complementary, highlighting technology’s essential role in modern life, particularly during the pandemic when it facilitated communication and access to services.
However, she raised critical questions about technology’s accessibility and affordability for all, expressing concern about the widening digital divide between different socioeconomic groups. Additionally, she addressed the uncertainties surrounding advancements in artificial intelligence and the potential ethical implications, urging society to establish boundaries to ensure technology enhances rather than controls human life. She called for a collective effort to bridge the gap between the affluent and the impoverished, as well as between urban and rural areas, to address the existing digital divide.
Looking Ahead: Technology as a Driver for Women’s Growth
As we reflect on the discussions from this insightful webinar, it is clear that technology offers unprecedented opportunities for women. However, as both Jonida and Bardha emphasized, it is our will and intentional use of tech that will truly determine the progress we can make.
We want to express our gratitude to Jonida Lakuriqi and Fatbardha Rino for their invaluable contributions to our recent webinar. Their insights and personal experiences have inspired us all and highlighted the importance of women in technology.
0 comments