U.S. Ambassador meets female representatives of Armenian IT

#USA USAID

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills met with a group of female representatives from Armenia’s IT industry who have benefited from USAID assistance.

“Too often, I’m afraid, the stereotype of a successful IT professional is still of a man. But in reality, women play an increasingly important role in coding, product development, web design, and all aspects of IT work. That is especially true in Armenia, as demonstrated by the wealth of talent and expertise gathered today in this room. You are a group of IT professionals, all women, who are working to boost Armenia’s economy through your creativity, problem solving, and technical knowhow. I am proud that the United States, largely through USAID, has been able to support you and help you fulfill your potential and your aspirations,” Richard Mills said.

According to the message from the U.S. Embassy to Armenia, USAID has supported female Armenian IT entrepreneurs through multiple activities, including the establishment of three innovative technology centers: Microsoft Innovation Center Armenia, the Armenian National Engineering Laboratories, and the Innovative Solutions and Technologies Center.

“Increased female employment offers great potential to Armenia’s economy. Currently, women constitute 67 percent of Armenia’s economically non-active population and their unemployment rate is almost double that of male unemployment (51.5 percent female vs. 21.8 percent male),” the message reads.