Kyiv to host Projector Foundation's hackathon conference to empower women
Photo: Business Diia
The "She is her own goal" hackathon conference will take place both in person and virtually on April 6 and 7 in Kyiv. It will focus on addressing gender and economic empowerment for women in society. The Projector Foundation is hosting the event with support from USAID, and it is being launched in honor of the 140th anniversary of the Ukrainian women's movement. MacPaw Space has also joined as a partner for the conference.
Rubryka informs about this.
The words of the writer Olha Kobylianska inspired the name of the conference:
"To have such freedom to be a goal for yourself! To work for your own spirit like a bee. To carve yourself, to level, to fight for something higher."
What is the problem?
In both the workplace and daily life, women encounter numerous obstacles. One such obstacle is the significant wage disparity compared to men. In Ukraine, this gap stands at 18.6%. Statistics show that the average woman works without compensation for approximately 6.5 years over her lifetime due to unequal pay.
Another painful problem from which many women suffer is domestic violence. And in times of war, when it is necessary to adapt to rapidly changing conditions, women become even less protected.
What is the solution?
The goals of the conference hackathon, "She is her own goal," are:
- To examine the challenges faced by women thoroughly,
- To collaborate to identify potential solutions,
- To aid in implementing projects that promote the advancement of women's potential in times of full-scale invasion.
The two-day hackathon conference will bring together representatives of public organizations, businesses, the media market, and creative industries, who demonstrate strength and perseverance every day, overcoming obstacles and working to increase the influence and presence of women in various fields.
A key aspect of the hackathon event is the presentation of projects focused on empowering women to pursue their career opportunities. Three initiatives will be chosen for funding based on their pitching performance, with $5,000 dedicated to each project's execution.
How does it work?
On the first day, the conference participants will attend panel discussions on women's leadership, changes in the labor market, and partnerships between businesses and women's organizations, as well as workshops on social project communication and practical pitching ideas.
The second day of the hackathon conference is dedicated to working with the problems faced by women. Teams of participants and mentors will generate ideas and look for ways to increase the influence and presence of women in society.
After the conference, the participants will be able to participate in selecting project ideas related to the topic of expanding the sphere of influence of women.
The authors of the 15 most promising projects will present their work to donors, the media, NGO representatives, and businesses at the pitch night.
A list of panels, speakers, program, and registration can be found on the website: https://youaregoal.prjctrfoundation.com/
For reference:
As a reminder, the Ukrainian government has approved the National Strategy for Closing the Gender Gap in the Workplace until 2030. It has also adopted a plan of action to implement it from 2023 to 2025.
It was also reported that the gender pay gap in Ukraine is 18.6%. This indicator is lower than the world rate but higher than many EU countries.
In addition, worldwide, women executives hold the position of CEO in companies for a shorter period than men.
