Women in GovTech Challenge 2026 & Digital Leaders' Forum
ITU/ GovStack partners
Session 263
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and GovTech are increasingly shaping how governments deliver inclusive, efficient, and citizen-centred services. As countries accelerate their digital transformation journeys, ensuring that digital ecosystems are open, interoperable, and inclusive remains a key priority. This session will bring together policymakers, development partners, practitioners, and digital leaders to discuss how enabling environments for DPI can support sustainable and people-centred digital development.
The session will begin with the recognition of finalist teams from the Women in GovTech Challenge 2026, a global initiative that empowers women professionals to design and prototype innovative digital public services using GovStack and DPI principles. The ceremony will showcase solutions developed by participants from around the world and celebrate women's leadership in digital transformation.
Following the awards ceremony, a high-level panel discussion on Building Inclusive DPI and GovTech Ecosystems will explore topics including connectivity, interoperability, inclusion, gender equality, open standards, and capacity development. By connecting practical innovation with global policy dialogue, the session aims to highlight how collaborative approaches can strengthen trusted, scalable, and inclusive digital public infrastructure.
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C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
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C2. Information and communication infrastructure
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C4. Capacity building
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-government
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Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
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Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
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Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
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Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
- Objective 1: Close all digital divides and accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals
- Objective 2: Expand inclusion in and benefits from the digital economy for all
- Objective 3: Foster an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space that respects, protects and promotes human rights
- Objective 4: Advance responsible, equitable and interoperable data governance approaches
- Objective 5: Enhance international governance of artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity
Explore the 2026 edition to discover this year's participants, stories, or visit the challenge homepage to learn more about the initiative and its mission.