The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has reiterated its commitment to advancing women's empowerment within Central Asia's information technology (IT) sector. USAID partners convened at the IT Park in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on February 5 to commemorate the accomplishments of women in technology and the profound impact of initiatives such as Tumaris.Tech and FoundHer, USAID reported.

Representatives from the Government of Uzbekistan, Tumaris.Tech, FoundHer, IT Park, Plug and Play Uzbekistan, and USAID convened at the celebration to spotlight the success stories of these programs and their transformative influence on women's roles in the IT domain.

Tumaris.Tech, introduced by IT Park in June 2020 with the backing of USAID’s Future Growth Initiative (FGI), stands as a pioneering program aimed at empowering female entrepreneurs within the IT sphere. Over a span of two years, Tumaris.Tech has transcended the borders of Uzbekistan to encompass five Central Asian nations. The initiative has provided training to over 200 young women, supported 46 startup projects, and played a pivotal role in the development of 50 product prototypes.

Meanwhile, FoundHer, a dedicated initiative fostering women’s entrepreneurship, actively scoured Uzbekistan for high-potential business ideas, offering business development support over six months. Through comprehensive training and mentorship, FoundHer has been instrumental in leveling the playing field for women in Central Asia, culminating in participation in the exclusive Innovation Journey and the 2023 Silicon Valley Winter Summit in the United States.

Jamille Bigio, USAID Senior Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Coordinator expressed her enthusiasm for the achievements of program participants during the event. 

"I am truly honored to stand before you today as we gather to celebrate and champion the incredible achievements of women-led startups in our community,” she remarked. “This event is not just a showcase of innovation and entrepreneurship; it is a testament to the resilience, creativity, and determination that these remarkable women bring to the forefront of the startup ecosystem."

Emphasizing the pivotal role gender diversity plays in driving innovation and sustainable growth, Bigio highlighted the increasing number of talented and ambitious women in the startup sphere. 

“Today, we come together to amplify the voices of these inspiring startup women who prevailed over challenges and embarked on journeys of passion and purpose,” she added.

USAID's Contribution to Central Asia

The USAID Mission to Central Asia has been working in collaboration with the region’s countries since their independence in the early 1990s, aiming to foster resilient, growth-oriented, and inclusive societies. Central Asia, with its diverse development trajectories, has been the focus of USAID's efforts to promote regional stability and prosperity.

In its endeavors, USAID/Central Asia supports regional connectivity and cooperation among the five countries of Central Asia while fostering linkages with the United States and beyond. The agency's regional initiatives focus on key sectors foundational for regional prosperity and security, including energy, trade and enterprise development, environment and transboundary water management, countering trafficking-in-persons, and countering violent extremism.

In Uzbekistan, USAID is actively engaged in developing the national energy regulatory agency and new electricity market, piloting distributed energy projects such as rooftop solar, improving corporate governance of the power sector, supporting renewable energy forecasting and integration, and exploring modern hydrogen technologies to support low-carbon goals and cross-border trade in ancillary services.

KAZAKHSTAN

USAID aids in the introduction of novel technologies and global best practices. For instance, a proposed intelligent metering system is set to enhance energy services for 182,055 recipients. By backing renewable energy auctions, USAID has driven down wind energy costs to a historic low of 2.6 US cents/kilowatt-hour, marking one of the region's most competitive rates.

KYRGYZSTAN

In collaboration with the Ministry of Energy, USAID is spearheading reforms in the energy sector to facilitate the transition towards cleaner energy sources. This involves assessing hurdles to integrating renewables into the grid, identifying optimal locations for new initiatives, crafting Power Purchase Agreements, and piloting small-scale endeavors like rooftop solar installations to underscore the benefits of decentralized energy systems.

TAJIKISTAN

USAID supports Tajikistan in modeling its power infrastructure, minimizing losses in distribution systems, restructuring and commercializing utilities, fostering competitive procurement processes for renewable energy, and executing pilot projects for off-grid renewable energy and battery storage solutions.

TURKMENISTAN

USAID assists in pinpointing prospects for renewable energy ventures, aiding in the formulation of a comprehensive low-carbon strategy for the energy sector on a large scale, and collaborating to curb methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.

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