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Founder of HerWILL Farhana Hasan is a powerhouse of innovation with nearly 20 years of leadership in global aviation and data science. Her journey from the high-stakes world of Delta Air Lines to the heart of social entrepreneurship was driven by a single, powerful realization: women everywhere face universal barriers to equality. Farhana founded HerWILL to bridge these gaps, using her expertise in technology and leadership to create a platform that 'educates, empowers, and e

Country Manager, HerWILL Syria Carol Georges Zakhour is a force of nature in the world of social entrepreneurship and peace-building. As the Country Manager for HerWILL Syria, Carol brings a wealth of expertise—from her background in English Literature and Mass Communication to her specialized diploma in Social Innovation from the University for Peace. A celebrated activist and the Founder of the Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative, her leadership earned the 'Most Impactful Ini

Country Manager, HerWILL Bangladesh Tahiya Islam is a living testament to the fact that your degree doesn't define your destination—your dedication does. Although she pursued a major in a completely different field, Tahiya followed her passion for impact, joining Herwill as an intern and quickly proving herself to be a natural leader. Today, she serves as our Country Manager , steering Herwill’s vision with grace and strategic brilliance. By excelling in a career path outside

Tech Development Lead Trina embodies the spirit of growth that defines Herwill. Her ascent from Website Intern to Lead Developer is a testament to her technical prowess and strategic vision. Beyond her architectural work, she proved her competitive edge by securing a victory in the Herwill Datathon , showcasing her ability to turn complex data into actionable solutions. By taking full ownership of our digital infrastructure, she has transformed how we connect with the world.

In a year marked by global challenges, the  AI for Equality 2024  initiative united participants from 18 countries  to tackle critical gaps in technology and equity. Organized by  HerWILL  and  AI4OPT , the program brought together students, researchers, and professionals to address real-world challenges in artificial intelligence while advancing ethical AI practices. The Datathon's focus on broad representation created a stage where talent from emerging regions thrived. Amon

HerWILL organized their signature Data Science program: Data Forge 2023 consisting of workshops and a contest across the globe in December 2023 in collaboration with the National Student Data Corps (NSDC) HerWILL Chapter. The program consisted of a series of custom-made workshops to give an in-depth overview of Data Science to the participants and an intense 72-hour Datathon. The Winners’ Experience: Mashiyat Mahjabin Prapty: NLP was a new field for me before this datathon. I

HerWILL – Women Inspired in Life and Leadership recently held a Datathon between tech women of color in the United States and tech women in Bangladesh, in partnership with AI4OPT, SBDH at Georgia Tech, and BdOSN. The Datathon was preceded by a series of workshops custom made to give an in-depth overview of Data Science and prepare the contestants for the intense 48-hour competition. This Pilot program aimed to see how underrepresented talent can engage in learning Data Scienc

Bangladesh has recently witnessed a historic breakthrough in women’s empowerment through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) with its very first, one-of-a-kind nationwide all-women Datathon from 26th-28th January 2021 led by HerWILL – Women Inspired in Life and Leadership. It was a part of The Ada Lovelace Celebration 2021 organized by BdOSN. The Datathon was prefaced with Data Science workshops to teach the fundamentals of Data Science to help contesta

A celebration of courage, growth, and shared success—where one woman’s achievement lifts us all. After joining the HerWILL cohort, for the first time in my career, I truly feel like I belong and that my voice is heard. Before, I lacked role models and mentors from similar backgrounds, but now I have the opportunities to network and learn from the best in their chosen fields. Initiatives such as the UN Women’s Generation Equality Program (named GEYA at HerWILL ) allowed me

Abstract  Trust is part of what buildings have in common with humans. Once that trust is broken, lives are placed in jeopardy. Building Information Modelling (BIM) turns construction data from paperwork into protective intelligence by exposing hidden conflicts, thus preventing potentially dangerous assumptions being made and establishing a single source of accountability across all teams. BIM is a data management tool that could also be used in post-war settings, converting p

Girls and women with disabilities face discrimination more than their male peers due to gender-based barriers, affecting their access to education, healthcare, employment and social inclusion. AI offers transformative support, where AI tools for disabilities enhance independence by converting text/speech, assisting with navigation, automating smart homes, and providing personalized learning, breaking down barriers for users with visual, hearing, speech, cognitive, and mobilit

Every second, massive amounts of information are produced by smart devices (smartphones, sensors), as well as applications (social media, online services). The generated information is a driving force for innovation, which defines how communities identify challenges, govern cities and systems, even teach students, as well as make policy changes. Although technologies that use data promise efficiency, progress, and development, they also pose essential questions concerning the

The exponential growth of data demands a shift from quantity-driven to purpose-driven data use. Data with purpose focuses on intentional collection and application aligned with measurable societal benefit. Excessive and unfocused data collection often obscures insights, increases operational complexity, and magnifies ethical risk [1]. Purpose-driven data practices ensure that information serves defined objectives, particularly in sectors where human well-being is directly aff

Introduction Technology is no longer merely a set of assistive tools; it has become an integral part of the fabric of human daily life. With the evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the relationship between humans and knowledge, work, and creativity has fundamentally changed. The question is no longer about the existence of AI, but rather about the extent of its impact on humans. Is it becoming a substitute in fields such as literature, audio, and authorship, or is it s

From location pings to biometric readings, in a world filled with digital signals, data shapes our everyday movements. And yet, for millions of women around the world, the most urgent data is the one that remains unrecorded: the ones produced during a moment of fear, danger, or vulnerability. Technology has grown amazingly fast, while the safety of women has not moved at the same pace. This gap must be addressed: Data with Purpose, a frame of thinking that can change informat