ISTANBUL BLOCKHAIN WOMEN

ISTANBUL BLOCKHAIN WOMEN

Our pledge
As ISTBCW, our mission is to organize social responsibility projects that provide positive discrimination for women in technology and blockchain, aiming to increase their participation in the production economy. According to a report published by the Turkish Statistical Institute in December 2023, 49.9% of Turkey’s population consists of women. It is necessary to utilize this significant proportion and prevent certain sectors or roles from being seen as exclusively men’s work. Unfortunately, the employment rate of women in Turkey is less than half of that of men. The numbers are much worse in the tech sector, deeptech and blockchain. The ‘Gender Equality’ target of the Sustainable Development Goals emphasizes that empowering women and girls not only accelerates economic growth but also supports development in all areas. To serve this goal, we position ourselves as a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and increasing the presence of women in the blockchain ecosystem.
As stated in Article 5 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals titled “Gender Equality,” the aim is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. This goal recognizes that the empowerment of women and girls creates a multiplier effect that is essential for sustainable development. One of the key strategies for achieving this goal is leveraging technology to promote economic growth and enhance women’s empowerment. It has been repeatedly proved that this economic growth accelerates development in every field. Our goal is to contribute to the inclusive development of the blockchain ecosystem by increasing the presence and raising awareness of women in the blockchain ecosystem, and ensuring that they play a greater role in the productive economy.
We have undertaken several projects to support gender equality and the empowerment of women in technology, especially blockchain technology. Among the projects we are involved in Turkiye are the “Being a Woman in the Blockchain Ecosystem in Turkiye” research, in cooperation with Paribu and Akademetre, and the Million Women Mentor project, which aligns with our motivation for the EIT project. The Million Women Mentor Program, which we support as Istanbul Blockchain Women, aims to bring together young women (18-25 years old) working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields with industry leaders through a digital platform. We cooperated with the Bursa Engineer Women Association, Turkish Chamber of Mechanical Engineers and many university blockchain clubs.
In order to contribute to the development of ecosystems where blockchain and innovative technologies thrive and to support sustainable development, the primary goal of the association is to work towards achieving gender equality, focusing on women and girls in Turkiye and around the region.
The initiative started as a volunteering platform under the name of Istanbul Blockchain Women in 2018, with participants working or volunteering in the field of blockchain from different industries and academia.
The association’s activities continue focusing on education and empowerment of women in technology more widely and effectively with its volunteers, corporate members, sponsors, and more than 100 members and not limited to its official members reaching out to a great number of young women during its existence.
Our participation in the Istanbul Blockchain Women Association’s Deep Tech Talent Initiative lies in our commitment to informing and empowering women in the field of technology. The advancement of technology, while bringing numerous benefits, has also paved the way for the proliferation of cybercrime, necessitating basic knowledge in this field for employees across various sectors. Collaborating with TAGES RDI and Napier University, Istanbul Blockchain Women Association aims to further its mission of empowering women in technology through a series of blockchain and cybersecurity training programs. These initiatives, leveraging our expertise in blockchain, aim to enhance women’s employment opportunities in technology and cybersecurity through education.

About
Istanbul Blockchain Women (ISTBCW) began addressing gender inequality in the blockchain area in 2018. It became an official association in 2020, founded by 17 female blockchain enthusiasts. The community now has more than 500 members, and more than 100 official members. ISTBCW supports women in blockchain through education, mentoring, and networking groups. These initiatives aim to empower women via educational programs and professional networking events, fostering a supportive environment for women in technology.