At the WomenTech Network, we’re fortunate to have a wonderful, global community of ambassadors who help us spread the word about our work and who helped us make the WomenTech Global Conference 2020 a success. We would like you to meet these wonderful people as well; therefore, we’re going to be introducing you to some of our most active members.

Today, get to know Ithri Aghnaj:

Ithri Aghnaj is from Morocco, a first-year data science student at University Mohammed VI
Polytechnic. She is passionate about deep learning and how human intelligence can be modeled achieving Artificial intelligence. She also loves dancing, traveling, and reading.

Ithri is very active, she does believe that extracurricular activities help you develop your talents, interests, and passions. They can also teach you practical skills like time management. Her biggest dream is to get inspired and launch her own startup. She wants to be part of a team that motivates each other, where creativity can blossom. She also wants to advocate for equality and mentor younger women. That's why it is such an honor to be a Global Ambassador for the WomenTech Network.

It is an absolute privilege for me. I hope we'll deliver fruitful and amazing events and work together.

In Ithri’s Own Words:

• Why aren’t there more female CEOs in tech?

Women are subject to gender stereotypes, some people think there aren’t many women CEOs because they are not biologically inclined for being effective leaders, which is absolutely wrong. Women are excellent candidates for leadership positions, often demonstrating many natural leadership behaviors, such as treating employees with civility and respect.
 

Trying to fit men and women into predetermined boxes of what society deems to be acceptable only holds people back from pursuing their interests and passions. It keeps individuals from moving society forward on important issues that could benefit from more natural talent. According to a Telegraph poll, two-thirds of 750 female founders felt they were not taken seriously when pitching to investors, and felt they were treated differently to their male counterparts.

They’re more likely to be judged on the idea that they might be more ‘emotional’, or the fact that they’re at ‘prime childbearing age’, which some people, consciously or not, will use as excuses to question their dedication and motivation towards their business. In a nutshell, women can and are great leaders worthy of the CEO position despite what might be said.

• Can women have kids and a tech career?

Women through history were known for their role as child-care, child- bearer and the heart of a family, but we all know that a woman is MUCH MORE than that... Feminist movement in the 20th century gave the woman the right to be herself than a mother, and the 21st century is following its steps, breaking the stigma, the taboo...

Modern corporate, knowing the value of each individual working behind its door try making life easier for mothers and fathers alike, housing kindergartens inside their walls, giving women paid birth leaves.. The 21st century, keep proving that women can be whoever they want if given the chance and the opportunity, it's not a matter of choosing between a career and children, it's a matter of who gives them the tools to prove themselves!!

Besides that, the tech field provides flexible working which defines any type of working pattern or arrangement that is different to standard or existing contractual hours. This type of working could allow an employee to alter the length, location or hours that they work. This could then allow them the freedom to work around care arrangements, from home, outside the office, or job-share with colleagues.

• What is the role of educators and parents?

We all know that a child spirit is easily influenced, that's why parents and educators play an important role in a child's life. they raise awareness about important issues. They play a key role in shaping tomorrow’s generation and help raise the future leaders. Gender is a social construct: people define what it means to be a boy or a girl, and these social conditionings often expect children to conform to specific and limiting gender roles and expectations from a young age.

We have to start conversations about gender roles early on, and challenge the features and characteristics assigned to men and women at home, in our daily routines, in school and in places of work. It requires continuous learning and sacrifices to be a good Parent and educator.

To raise well behaved and responsible children they should be willing to invest a considerable amount of time, patience and energy. Instilling and inculcating good values in a child for him/her to become a good person and a better citizen. Also, material support isn't sufficient to educate a child, you can pay for the best schools, the best clothes and still the moral and emotional support that a parent gives to his child is irreplaceable.

Moral support makes him believe in his own value as a person, makes him do better again and again to achieve his dreams. When a parent believes in the success of his children, they can take over the world, and that's when the educators step in giving them the tools and meanings to do so, opening their brains to new concept. In conclusion, education can either make the child into the successful adult he will be or break him