Amina Gabitova

Amina Gabitova is a public relations graduate from KIMEP University in Kazakhstan and a project manager at the ITeachMe Foundation, where she leads inclusive tech initiatives. With a background in journalism and digital communication, she develops programs that equip youth, especially those with disabilities and in rural areas, with practical digital skills. Amina is especially passionate about ensuring that young women and underserved communities are not left behind in Kazakhstan’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Gabitova Amina

What does your work focus on?

I work at the ITeachMe Public Foundation, where I design and implement projects that develop and deliver digital and IT education programs for youth from socially vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities and those living in rural and remote regions of Kazakhstan. Our work contributes directly to digital development in the country.

We create accessible online courses in areas like UX/UI design, NoCode development, AI, graphic design, and other digital skills. All our courses are adapted for people with disabilities, with features like subtitles, sign language interpretation, flexible formats, and ongoing mentor support. This helps bridge the digital divide for youth who don’t have access to traditional education.

Over five years, we’ve trained more than 7,000 people. Of those, 1,951 have been employed and have started digital careers, becoming financially independent. These outcomes show the long-term impact of our work in building an inclusive, sustainable future through digital skills.

Our programs help participants enter the online job market, work remotely, launch businesses, and gain financial independence. We also promote gender equality—young women and men, regardless of background or ability, have equal access to our programs. We encourage young women to pursue male-dominated fields like programming and AI through role models, mentoring, and a safe learning space.

We also work with partners, employers, and government agencies to raise awareness about inclusion and equal access, including promoting gender balance in tech. My work at ITeachMe is focused on building digital skills among youth, reducing digital and social inequality, and supporting inclusion and gender equity in the digital world.

What is the impact and scalability?

In the past five years, the ITeachMe Foundation has completed over 47 projects focused on digital skills development and gender equality in digital transformation. These projects aim to expand access to technology and digital education for women and people with disabilities to build a more inclusive society.

Key projects include:

  • OrleTech: Trains young people with disabilities in UX/UI design, web design, NoCode, and AI. It has trained 180 participants; 80 found employment.
  • ITM Academy: Offers SMM and mobile photography training for youth with disabilities aged 18–35. 68 graduates gained skills to compete in the job market.
  • ITMlab: A platform where seven teams created tech solutions and rehabilitation tools to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Impact:
We provide digital education programs that teach market-relevant IT professions to diverse population groups. This enables participants to gain skills and improve their job prospects.

Our work also strengthens Kazakhstani NGOs working on inclusion and social issues by sharing strategies, hosting joint events, and promoting policies that improve the lives of people with disabilities.

Scalability:

  • Flexible programs: Our courses are designed to be adapted to different audiences and regions, making it possible to expand across Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
  • Strong partnerships: We collaborate with government, business, and international organizations to scale our work, bring in resources, and integrate new technologies.
  • Innovative approaches: We use online platforms, interactive tools, and gamification to keep our programs modern, effective, and engaging.

Our goal is to create a digital environment where everyone, regardless of gender or ability, has equal opportunities for education and careers. Our projects are scalable and can be adapted to new communities, supporting the sustainable development of society as a whole.

What does being selected as an ITU160 Gender Champion mean to you, and how will you use this platform?

I want to become an ITU160 Gender Champion because I am committed to equality and inclusion in digital transformation. I aim to empower not just women, but all vulnerable groups, by ensuring equal access to digital technologies and education. This will help build a more inclusive and fair digital society.

Although digital transformation offers progress, many women and vulnerable groups are still excluded. They face limited access and systemic barriers to digital participation. As a Gender Champion, I want to change that by advocating for policies and actions that include all social groups and ensure technology empowers rather than excludes.

This role would give me the opportunity to engage with digital leaders and policymakers. By working together, we can create strategies that address the specific needs of women and marginalized groups in tech. I would also participate in discussions and workshops to share my experience and highlight how important it is to include diverse voices in digital innovation and policy.

I want to co-design and lead workshops that promote digital equality, aligned with my work at ITeachMe. Together with partners, we can build training and programs that equip participants with skills to succeed in the digital world. This will support personal success and a more diverse, inclusive tech industry.