What happens when data meets action? The Women in Data (WiD) Conference 2025 provided the answer, bringing together professionals, policymakers, and data enthusiasts to explore the power of data in driving gender equality and inclusive development. Organized by the Women in Data Steering Committee, a coalition of 12 leading organizations, and supported by The Asia Foundation’s Data for Development Program, this year’s conference was managed by Open Knowledge Nepal and hosted at Radisson Hotel, Kathmandu, on February 25, 2025.

The 2025 conference theme, “सङ्‍कल्प: Using Data to Turn Promises into Progress“, emphasized the importance of actionable commitments to leverage data for gender equality – moving beyond discussions toward real-world solutions through collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing.

Key Objectives

• Catalyze commitments for leveraging data to promote gender equality.
• Strengthen data literacy among women, empowering them with essential skills.
• Foster a collaborative platform for women data practitioners, policymakers, and leaders.
• Demonstrate the transformative power of data in addressing gender disparities.

Highlights from the Conference

The conference featured insightful keynotes, insightful presentations, engaging discussions, and hands-on workshops, highlighting both the progress and challenges women face in the data and equipping participants with the skills and networks needed to drive gender equality.

Inspiring Keynote and Panels

The conference opened with welcome remarks from Federica Di Battista (FCDO), Nhasala Joshi (WiD Steering Committee), and Meghan Nalbo (The Asia Foundation), setting the stage for a day of collaboration and learning. Meghan’s call to action – “Let’s forge the rivers together, build bridges together” – resonated deeply, reinforcing the importance of collective action.

The Keynote Speech by Prof. Dr. Kushum Shakya inspired attendees to envision “Namuna ko ghar, Namuna ko sahar” (Model Homes, Model Cities), highlighting the role of data-driven models in shaping inclusive communities.

The opening panel, “Data and Diversity: Ensuring Inclusive Data Practices,” featured experts Susma Pant (ExtensoData), Nir Shrestha (Blind Youth Association of Nepal), Sagun Khanal (CloudFactory), and Shristi Piya (Rumsan), moderated by Arpana Shrestha. The discussion highlighted the significance of representation in data and the risks posed by biased AI systems, reinforcing the need for inclusive, gender-sensitive data practices. Without proper representation, AI and digital solutions risk perpetuating existing biases rather than addressing them.

The closing panel, “Data! Dialogue! Decisions!” moderated by Nhasala Joshi, brought together distinguished speakers Carolyn O’Donnell (The Asia Foundation), Bimala Rai Poudyal (National Assembly of Nepal), and Roshee Lamichhane (Kathmandu University School of Management). Their discussion underscored the urgent need for data-driven policymaking and governance, emphasizing that without diverse representation, critical insights are often overlooked. Integrating data-backed decision-making is essential for fostering inclusive policies and driving meaningful change.

Lightning Talks

The conference featured two thought-provoking lightning talks, including:

• Women in Nepal’s ICT Landscape – Dibyswory Dali from Women in Information Technology (WIIT) highlighted barriers faced by women in tech.
• Bridging Data and System Silos – Sneha Shah from The Asia Foundation addressed challenges and opportunities in data interoperability within Nepal’s digital governance.

Breakout Sessions

Participants engaged in interactive workshops covering a range of critical topics:

• Digital Forensics (Logpoint): Understanding cybersecurity, digital evidence, and incident response.
• Breaking the Binary (Udeshya Girls in STEM): Addressing gender bias in AI systems.
• Data to Story (Women Leaders in Technology): Transforming raw data into compelling narratives.
• Gendered Disinformation (Digital Rights Nepal): Learning fact-checking techniques to counter online misinformation.
• Data Compass (The Algorithm): Empowering women through data narratives and networks.
• Ethics of Data & Prompt Engineering (Smart Cheli): Understanding ethical AI use and responsible data practices.

Key takeaways from the Conference

• AI Bias: AI systems can be biased due to historical and Western-centric data sources, making inclusive data representation crucial.
• Data Inclusion & Representation: Ensuring diverse and gender-sensitive data is essential for equitable progress.
• Women in Data: Without women’s representation in data, critical issues affecting them remain invisible.
• Data-Backed Policies: Evidence-driven policymaking is key to driving meaningful, measurable change.
• Leadership Gap: Women remain underrepresented in high-level decision-making roles, limiting their influence in shaping policies.

Beyond the Conference: What’s Next?

While the conference provided a platform for learning and networking, its true impact depends on the actions taken moving forward.

• Expanding Data Literacy: Strengthening programs to empower more women with essential data skills.
• Advocating for Gender-Responsive Policies: Pushing for inclusive, data-driven policies at the national level.
• Creating Mentorship Opportunities: Building networks to guide and support young women in data and tech.

Data is more than just numbers – it’s a catalyst for change. By harnessing data for gender equality, we can shape a more inclusive and equitable future. The work doesn’t stop here – it’s time to turn promises into progress!