LocationsAuthor: Rimma Mukhtarova
© UNDP Uzbekistan
In the digital age, it is crucial for girls to have equal opportunities in IT. To support this goal, UNDP in Uzbekistan launched the Digital Internship Program for Young Women, implemented by Tech4Impact. This initiative helps young women gain hands-on experience and develop digital skills, opening new career opportunities for them.
From Dream to Reality: Ozodakhon’s Journey into IT
Ozodakhon Muminova, an 18-year-old from Namangan, has always been passionate about technology. She dreamed of creating useful digital products but believed there were too many obstacles in her way: lack of knowledge, no experience, and the fear of starting.
"I always wanted to work in IT, but I thought it would be difficult without a formal education in the field. I helped others, learned from them, but I couldn’t imagine creating something on my own."
Her opportunity to change this came when she learned about the Digital Internship Program and decided to apply. Out of 227 applicants, she was among the 23 young women selected for a full internship at leading IT companies.
"When I found out I was selected, I felt a huge surge of motivation. I believed in myself again!"
© UNDP Uzbekistan
Internship and Training: What Did She Gain?
The internship was designed to provide not only theoretical knowledge but also practical project experience.
- Workshops & Webinars – Time management, personal branding, interview preparation, and career development.
- Mentorship – Each intern had a mentor from an IT company who guided them through challenges and helped them acquire new skills.
- Real-World IT Tasks – Interns worked in fields such as software development, data analytics, project management, and more.
The First Career Step: Working at Click
Ozodakhon began her internship at Click[1], Uzbekistan’s leading e-payment company, as a Product Manager. It was a real challenge but also a great opportunity for growth.
"I joined an amazing team. We worked in Agile, and from day one, I was given important responsibilities!"
Her key role was to integrate 52 new merchants into the Click platform.
"Every day was a learning experience: market analysis, working with APIs, testing hypotheses, and setting up processes. Sometimes it was tough, but the support from my mentors and colleagues kept me moving forward."
She also mastered customer interactions and teamwork, enabling her to solve challenges effectively and propose new ideas.
© UNDP Uzbekistan
Internship Achievements
- 23 interns selected from 227 applicants, with 10 undergoing an intensive skill-enhancement course.
- 12 IT companies (including Click and AVO Bank) hosted interns for hands-on experience.
- 14 young women received job offers, and 8 have already started their careers in IT.
Challenges on the Road to Success
Ozodakhon admits that the journey was not easy.
Adapting to a new environment – The first weeks were full of new experiences that required quick thinking and continuous learning. "I was always supported when I struggled. Making mistakes is normal. Failing is even better! If you learn from your mistakes and apply the lessons, it becomes a skill."
Lack of knowledge – She had to learn new technologies on the go, which helped her become more confident. "I learned how to research, analyze each project, identify features from similar products in the market, and test my hypotheses on users to assess product viability."
Public speaking – The internship included project presentations, which played a key role in developing her soft skills. "We had DEMO Days where we presented in front of an audience of over 100 people, explaining our work. I believe big companies organize such events to help employees build confidence, express their ideas, and develop critical thinking."
"I used to be afraid of public speaking. But after the internship, I learned to present my ideas confidently, and it opened new opportunities for me."
© UNDP Uzbekistan
Next Goal: Launching Her Own Startup
After successfully completing her internship, Ozodakhon received a job offer as a Product Manager at Click. Now, she is responsible for integrating new merchants and actively contributing to the company’s product development.
But her journey doesn’t stop there. In the next 3–5 years, Ozodakhon plans to launch her own startup in Deep Tech.
"The internship gave me the most important thing – confidence. Now I know that I can turn my dream into reality!"
Advice from Ozodakhon to aspiring young women in IT:
"If you are interested in technology – start now! Learn, experiment, surround yourself with like-minded people. Don’t be afraid of challenges – they are what help us grow!"
In 2025, the initiative will expand to 40 participants, further strengthening collaboration with IT companies.
[1]CLICK is one of the leading e-payment organizations in Uzbekistan, offering a wide range of payment services for individuals and businesses. CLICK provides its users with convenient cashless payment solutions, including mobile applications, USSD/SMS portals, a Telegram bot, and a web interface.
