On April 23, we marked International Girls in ICT Day with the 11th edition of the Girls in ICT Conference, bringing together students, professionals, institutions, and industry leaders to empower, inspire, and create real opportunities for girls and young women in technology.
Welcome Remarks: The conference officially opened with powerful remarks from key institutional and academic leaders, including
- Abetare Gojani – Executive Director, The Foundation House
- Artane Rizvanolli – Minister of Economy, Republic of Kosovo
- Vlora Tuzi Nushi – Head of Office at UN Women Kosovo
- Albina Balidemaj – Dean of Faculty, RIT Kosovo
Their messages emphasized the importance of representation, access to opportunities, and the urgent need to support girls and women not only to enter ICT, but to lead and shape its future.
Video Message: We also received an inspiring virtual message from Rina Basholli – InfoSec Lead & Cybersecurity Expert | Executive Board Member, WiCyS, who shared her journey in cybersecurity, insights from her work in the field, and an encouraging message for young girls to pursue careers in tech with confidence and ambition.
Keynote Speech: Florijeta Mulolli – Head of Strategy and Partnering for Mission Critical Networks at Ericsson, delivered an inspiring keynote, sharing her journey across international markets and her leadership in mission-critical networks. She highlighted how technology is transforming key sectors and why women must play a central role in designing and leading these systems.
Panel Discussion – Online Safety in the Age of AI: Moderated by Artina Muçiqi – Program Manager, The Foundation House, the panel featured
- Fadil Abdyli – Head of the Cybercrime Investigation Sector, Kosovo Police
- Ardiana Thaçi Mehmeti – Mehmeti, Producer/Author, KIKS Kosova – Klan Kosova
- Teuta Sahatqija – Ambassador and leader at Women in Tech Kosovo
- Dr. Rita Parashumti – Founder of RITWELLLS
The discussion explored how artificial intelligence is reshaping digital risks, highlighting the importance of awareness, responsibility, and collective action in creating safer online spaces, especially for girls and young women.
Workshops: Organized in cooperation with WiSTEM and Women4Cyber Kosovo, the workshops were led by Teuta Morina and Krenar Kepuska, offering hands-on experience in both offensive and defensive cybersecurity. Participants explored web hacking in the age of AI, learned about emerging threats such as prompt injection, and developed practical skills in monitoring, detecting, and responding to cyber attacks.
Mentorship Sessions: Through interactive small-group sessions, participants engaged directly with mentors such as Dr. Blerta Prevalla Etemi, Fortesa Manaj, and Valentina Gara. These sessions created a safe space for open conversations about career paths, challenges, and opportunities in ICT, offering guidance and inspiration.
Job Fair: The event concluded with a dynamic job fair, where participants connected with companies, explored career opportunities, and took their first steps toward entering the tech industry. It was a space where conversations turned into real opportunities.