Launched in June 2024, the project garnered significant interest, with 5,200 applications submitted by women from all regions of Kazakhstan. Of these, 3,084 participants began their training, actively mastering no-code programming, freelancing basics, e-commerce, and other in-demand skills. So far, 62 participants have successfully completed the program, gaining the knowledge necessary to kick-start their careers or entrepreneurial ventures.

The program targeted women aged 18 and older, including unemployed women, those on maternity leave, students, and aspiring entrepreneurs. The highest number of participants were registered from Astana, Almaty, Almaty Region, and Western Kazakhstan Region.

Among the successful initiatives from the second cohort, the following participants stand out:

Sagilya Sagidan from Kyzylorda developed the EdKids educational platform, which helps children access quality knowledge and develop their skills from an early age. The platform focuses on interactive learning and is accessible to a broad audience.

Assel Karazhan from Aktobe created the AKM Education website, designed for mental arithmetic preparation. The school helps children and teenagers develop analytical thinking, improve memory, and enhance concentration, offering modern approaches to education.

Meruert Zharilkasynova from Astana launched the "Qadam. Grants for Business and Startups in Kazakhstan" app, which provides entrepreneurs and startup founders with up-to-date information about available grants and support programs. The app significantly simplifies the search and application process, contributing to the growth of small and medium-sized businesses.

Aydana Sembaeva from Almaty developed a Telegram chatbot to automate communication between clients and employees. The chatbot handles routine tasks such as answering frequently asked questions, processing orders, and managing internal communications, improving business process efficiency.

It is worth noting that in 2023, more than 2,000 women from 17 regions of Kazakhstan participated in the first cohort of the IT-Aiel program. 50 participants created their own IT products, such as websites and applications, which significantly improved their career prospects.

The IT-Aiel project demonstrates that digital education is a powerful tool for empowering women, allowing them to enhance their skills and make meaningful contributions to Kazakhstan's IT industry.

For reference:

The National Commission for Women and Family-Demographic Policy under the President of Kazakhstan focuses on engaging women in productive employment, including their participation in the digital economy. Supported by the National Commission, projects such as “TechGirls” and “IT-Aiel” aim to involve girls and women in IT, support female-led startups, and more. In March 2023, Kazakhstan’s experience in advancing digitalization and new technologies with women’s involvement was presented at the 67th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York.

Astana Hub is the largest tech park in Central Asia, focused on creating and developing an ecosystem for IT businesses, training IT specialists, and supporting startup projects. Currently, over 1,500 IT companies, including more than 400 with foreign participation, are registered at the technopark, benefiting from comprehensive support such as business development programs, special tax and visa conditions, educational and informational support, and physical infrastructure.

Since 2022, the non-profit organization TechnoWomen has worked to increase the number of women in the IT sector and other technological industries. The NGO actively supports and promotes women’s leadership and is committed to transforming the industry and creating equal opportunities for all its participants.