Empowering Women to Lead Digital Transformation
Bridging the Gap through Mentorship: GovStack Women Shaping the Future of Digital Services
Women remain significantly underrepresented in GovTech, despite the global commitment to gender equality in digital transformation as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The GovStack Women in GovTech Challenge 2025 directly contributes to this goal by empowering women to design and develop safe, inclusive, and citizen-centric digital government services while fostering a strong international network of women leaders in GovTech.
Building on the success of the inaugural edition in 2024, which saw 139 women from 49 countries participate, the Women in GovTech Challenge returns in 2025—with a broader scope and even more partners.
For this second edition, we are excited to partner with the World Bank and the DPI Safeguards Initiative, stewarded by the UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies and the UNDP.
This transformative program enhances participants’ technical expertise and leadership skills, equipping them to shape the future of digital governance. Top service proposals developed during the challenge will be showcased at a high-level international event.
The program provides:
Technical Skills
- Learn the GovStack building block approach to create digital services.
- Learn to apply the DPI Safeguards Framework, ensuring that safety and inclusion are more than an afterthought.
- Manage agile teams and develop interoperable, scalable solutions.
Soft Skills
- Enhance communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills.
Career Management
- Develop leadership, decision-making, and people management abilities.
Networking Opportunities
- Hear from Leaders in GovTech: Gain insights from inspiring leaders during exclusive networking sessions.
- Join an International Cohort: Build connections with an active community of women shaping the future of digital public infrastructure.
Join Us!
Criteria for Mentees
- Who can apply: Women working in Government, Private Sector, Civil society, or Academia in roles such as, but not limited to:
- Project Coordinator
- Service Designer
- Policy/Legal Advisor
- User Research Specialist
- Solution Architect
- Developer/Technical Specialist
- Demonstrate Interest or Experience in GovTech: Show interest in GovTech or prior experience in digital transformation initiatives.
- Be Comfortable in English: The program will be conducted in English.
- Time Commitment:
- 1.5 hours per week for mandatory lecture sessions.
- 1 hour for Networking Sessions (two weeks out of six).
- Optional Office Hours: 2 sessions per week, 1 hour each.
- 2 hours per week for assignments and group work.
Criteria for Mentors
- Who can apply: Senior women leaders in GovTech from Government, Private Sector, or Academia.
- Be Comfortable in English: The program will be conducted in English.
- Stable Internet Access: Ensure reliable connectivity for mentor sessions.
- Time Commitment:
- 1 hour per week to mentor participants and provide guidance during the program.
| Milestone | Key Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | 14 February – 16 March 2025 |
| Announcement of selected participants | 1st week of April 2025 |
| Training Period | 3rd week of April – end of May 2025 |
| Graduation Ceremony | June 2025 |
| Finalists Showcase | July 2025 |
Click the button below to register for the Launch Webinar of the Women in GovTech Challenge 2025.
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