United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India -TechGig Launch A Nationwide Hackathon To Create World Free of Violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. It knows no social, economic or national boundaries. Worldwide, an estimated 1 in 3 women has experienced physical or sexual abuse in their lifetime. The most recent data from National Family Health Survey (NHFS-5) also reported that around 29.3% of married Indian women between the ages of 18-49 years have faced domestic violence/ or sexual violence.

The risk of and vulnerability to GBV increases on account of intersections of gender with sexual orientation, disability, caste, and age. Similarly, GBV risks are known to increase during humanitarian crises such as public health emergencies, natural calamities and conflicts. Today, with the increased use and reliance on technology and digital spaces, we also see the emergence of newer forms of GBV where harm is perpetrated through online spaces. Clearly, GBV is all pervasive and addressing it in all its forms with a particular focus on those with increased vulnerabilities is no longer negotiable.

Leading a life free from violence is a fundamental human right - and one that is critical to advance the realization of other human rights.

The imperative action to address and end GBV is of utmost importance to the Government of India with a focus on establishing One Stop Centres (OSCs) across states for those who are in distress and survivors of violence to avail counseling, medico-legal support and support from police all under one roof. To further strengthen these efforts, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India - in association with India’s biggest technology community, TechGig - launched a Hackathon - Crack the Code to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence

This hackathon aims to address key problems, knowledge gaps and increase access to services for persons with disabilities experiencing GBV; facilitating anonymous, safe and timely access to those at risk of GBV in humanitarian situations; and mitigating technology facilitated GBV.

The hackathon will crowdsource impactful and innovative ideas and turn them into prototypes for scaling up. The program has three phases: Phase 1 for relevant idea submissions, Phase 2 for selection and mentoring of ideas for prototyping and lastly, Phase 3 to announce the winners.

“Effectively responding to Gender-Based Violence requires convergence of great minds, innovative thinking and multi-sectoral partnerships. UNFPA is excited to launch its first hackathon in India to invite solutions to address GBV. The aim is to discover and deploy effective prevention and response mechanisms for newer forms of GBV, as well as recognize and respond to heightened risks and vulnerabilities among marginalized groups, including during crises" said Andrea Wojnar, Resident Representative, UNFPA India.

This hackathon invites individuals, women-led teams, techpreneurs, civil societies, startups, research groups, and people with diverse lived experiences to submit ideas and solutions to make public spaces, workplaces, homes, and society equal, equitable and inclusive.

“TechGig is proud to partner with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in their crucial mission to #EndGBVForAll. I urge everyone to participate in this hackathon and share your innovative solutions - big and small - to make our world free of violence,” said Sanjay Goyal, Business Head, TechGig.

Registrations are free and open for everyone at https://www.techgig.com/hackathon/crack-the-code-to-prevent-and-address-gbv.

TechGig and American Express join hands to recognise India’s best Women Technologists

• India's largest coding competition for women
• TechGig Geek Goddess - opened for code submissions recently
• TechGig Geek Goddess 2020 will have 3 screening rounds and will conclude with a virtual grand finale
• Last year's edition saw participation from 73,388 women technologists

 

One year ago, Hyderabad-based engineer Tanneeru Leela was best known for her quiet demeanour. Now, she is known as the mighty coder who defeated 73,388 women technologists at India's biggest women-only code competition - TechGig Geek Goddess 2019 edition! From a quiet, work focussed technologist, to a leading #WomanInTechnology - this persona change happened for her overnight when the world saw her coding prowess at the Geek Goddess code competition.

A similar transition happened with Snehlata Mishra, who recollected that after winning the Geek Goddess 2018 title, her social media platforms were flooded with 'connection requests' - akin to the celebrities. Snehlata Mishra's story is a typical tale of a talented young woman from a small town who set her eyes on the IT domain and won the prestigious Geek Goddess 2018 title.

Year after year, TechGig Geek Goddess helps transform the careers of thousands of women engineers who participate in this annual coding event. American Express is a perfect presenting partner for TechGig Geek Goddess, now for the third year in a row. The globally integrated payments company is an ardent champion of diversity and of recognising top women technologists.

The news of TechGig Geek Goddess 2020 edition's launch was celebrated by Tanneeru Leela and many other past winners and participants. "I'm so happy that the 2020 edition has opened up because I want to reclaim my title," she said. Last year, her company celebrated her win like their collective acclaim. "They had put up the announcement, followed by a celebration in office and suddenly everybody started to recognise me," Leela said.

This is the sixth edition of TechGig Geek Goddess, and owing to the COVID-19 situation this edition will conclude with a virtual grand finale and a career fair in December later this year. The present edition will have 3 screening rounds in two tracks, namely – Coding and Application Development.

Sanjay Goyal, Business Head of TimesJobs and TechGig said, "Being a technologist, I always felt that coding is powered by passion; not by any gender. However, women coders needed a global platform to showcase their coding skills. The TechGig Geek Goddess has become that 'global platform' in the last six years. From 15,000 registrations in the first edition to 73,388 registrations in the fifth edition - the TechGig Geek Goddess community has become 489% stronger! I am proud to announce that American Express has joined us at the world's largest women-only coding contest - Geek Goddess - as the presenting partner for the third successive year."

"Our partnership with TechGig Geek Goddess is a relationship of pride and purpose," said Ruchika Panesar, Vice President of Technology at American Express India. "American Express proudly backs women in technology and we're committed to building a diverse workforce and continually expanding our pipeline of top tech talent to include more women and individuals from diverse groups and backgrounds. Congratulations to the very capable and enthusiastic women taking part in this program, particularly during these extraordinary times, and best of luck!"

For now, Tanneeru Leela and her peers are busy flexing their coding muscle. "I will have to start practicing (coding) again because the competition is very tough…. I know," she said. Here's wishing all the best to these women!

Registration at TechGig Geek Goddess is free @ https://www.techgig.com/geekgoddess

About TechGig:
TechGig is a young and enthusiastic technology company, offering cutting-edge solutions to its clients using innovative technologies. We help our business partners realise their true talent and business potential using our specialised skill assessment, community engagement and recruitment solutions

About American Express:
American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.

Tanneeru Leela wins the Title Crown at the Finale of TechGig Geek Goddess 2019

• Tanneeru Leela beat 73,388 women technologists to take home the title crown


• All the 73,300 + code submissions underwent strict scrutiny and only 375 women technologists were invited for the finale hackathon


• Niche technologies as Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Robotic Process
  Automation, Cloud were the core theme of hackathons


• Winners took home prizes worth Rs 7,50,000 collectively


• Finale day celebrations concluded with a job fair for IT professionals where half a dozen companies hired women technologists for their firms

It was a ‘David versus Goliath’ scenario at TechGig Geek Goddess 2019 finale when Tanneeru Leela took on more than 73,387 women technologists to win this year’s title crown. She braved 375 women technologists at the four-hour-long,offline final code competition to clinch the crown.





TechGig Geek Goddess is the annual, women-only coding competition from TechGig that brings together women programmers from all the walks of life to showcase their technology skills and claim their glory. In its fifth edition, TechGig Geek Goddess recorded the highest ever participation at 73,388+.
The 2019 edition was announced on August 19 and was closed for submissions on October 21. All the code submissions were checked on various parameters, including innovation, quality, the ease of application among others. After the rigorous check, only 375 women technologists were invited for the finale day hackathon on November 8, 2019, at the Four Seasons hotel in Bengaluru.

The event was graced by some of the most notable names of India’s IT industry. The event began with an inaugural address by Ruchika Panesar, Vice President Global Services Group Technology and Head of Technology - India, American Express. Dr Neeta Verma, Director General, NIC delivered a special address at the event. A series of panel discussions ensued in the evening ceremony where technology and diversity leaders from Goldman Sachs, Automation Anywhere, Wipro, Oracle, Cisco, Capgemini, TomTom, Xoriant, Cognizant, Capgemini, American Express and RBS participated.



This year’s competition was intense with the introduction of cutting edge technologies as hackathon themes. They are being: Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Cloudify everything, Solution hunters’ hackathon, among others.

“We saw enthusiastic participation for niche themes as RPA, AI/ML with the registrations in the range of 4,000-6,000. This is proof that women technologists are raring to work and shine in the new-age technology streams. Owing to a tough selection process and high cut-off marks in the prelim and semi-final rounds, out of 73,388 registrations, only 375 women technologists made it to the final round. With only 0.51% of participants making it to the finale, I feel that all the finalists were best of the best coding minds in India. To win over this genius talent pool is a true feat and I congratulate all winners for their indomitable spirit,” said Sanjay Goyal, Business Head, TimesJobs and TechGig

Adding to that Ram Awasthi, VP – Technology, Times Internet mentioned, “This is the first time that I am a part of the TechGig Geek Goddess finale event. The energy here is infectious and I was amazed to see such young girls coding enthusiastically using the new-age technologies like Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Cloud and others.”

TechGig Geek Goddess 2019 edition finale day was marked by a live hackathon in the morning, followed by a Women Disruptors’ Conference in the evening, followed by a glitzy awards ceremony. Like last year, this year too TechGig Geek Goddess is presented by American Express, a globally integrated payments company. Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment bank and active investor in India, is the contest’s platinum partner this year.

Ruchika Panesar, Vice President Global Services Group Technology and Head of
Technology - India, American Express heartily congratulated all the hackathon participants. “This outstanding accomplishment is the latest chapter in an inspiring story about women achieving great things in technology. At American Express, we strive to be a place where women want to work and build careers. It’s fantastic to see so many women technologists compete in this unique event, and we’re excited to see what all of you go on to achieve in the world. Congratulations to TechGig Geek Goddess for creating this great platform to nurture talented women in technology,” she said.

Overall, nine winners were felicitated at the ceremony. Collectively, all winners took home prizes worth Rs 7,50,000.

TechGig Geek Goddess 2019 concluded with an exclusive job fair for participants on November 9, 2019, where participating companies hired candidates for their companies. A complete list of winners at TechGig Geek Goddess 2019 is as follows:

Theme Winners -

Automation Anywhere Hackathon:
Winners - Sarika Patil, MrunalKotkar
Runners up - KatheejaBeevi, SornamThiyagarajan

AI/ML Hackathon by American Express:
Winners - Laisha Wadhwa
Runners up - JayathilagaRamajayam

Cloudify Everything Hackathon by Hexaware Technologies:
Winners - Arti Kumari&Navya Singh
Runners up - NandanaKudeti

Solution Hunters’ Hackathon by JetBrains:
Winners -  Nithya Vasudevan
Runners up - Rajhrita Dutta

Coding Winners – 

TechGig Geek Goddess 2019 Champion: Tanneeru Leela
First runners up – Urvashi Rai
Second runners up – Snehlata Mishra
Third runners up – Anviti Srivastava
Fourth runners up – MridulChirania

About TechGig 

TechGig is a culmination of everything related to technology. TechGig is a platform
exclusively for IT professionals to synergize, share, exchange ideas, facts and information as well as showcase their work and express their views on the vast repertoire that the IT industry encompasses. Garnering cutting-edge insights, jobs, reviews and news, as well as providing a platform for connecting with colleagues and peers are the mainstay of TechGig.

India’s Top Women Coders to Battle it out as TechGig Geek Goddess 2019 is Announced

She came. She coded. She conquered. Hailing from a remote village in Bihar, the story of Snehlata Mishra from being an unspotted talent in the world of technology to conquering a 95-day long coding battle and becoming the Champion of TechGig Geek Goddess 2018, is nothing short of inspirational.

Giving wings to the dreams of many such talented women technologists, India’s biggest online technology community, TechGig recently announced the new edition of the popular coding contest, Geek Goddess 2019. This women-only coding competition was declared open for registrations on August 19 and will be accepting code submissions till October 14, 2019. So far, the edition has garnered 37,705 registrations.

For decades, there has been a lot of talk on improving the representation of women in technology, but little improvement on the ground. Several underlying biases have worked against women in the field of technology. A TechGig survey conducted among women IT professionals revealed that as many as 74% of women in technology believe that a definite bias exists against them and, hence their suggestions are often dismissed by their male colleagues.

 "TechGig Geek Goddess 2019 promises to be bigger and better than all of its previous editions. The kind of enthusiastic queries that we have already received from our community makes me believe that this year’s edition of Geek Goddess will do justice to the expectations and help corporate India spot the brightest and most talented women IT professionals in the country. My best wishes to all the participants", said Sanjay Goyal, Business Head, TimesJobs and TechGig.

Similar to last year, American Express, a globally integrated payments company, has joined hands with TechGig in its journey to find the best women technologists in India.

“We’re delighted to once again partner with TechGig Geek Goddess on this ground-breaking competition,” said Ruchika Panesar, vice president of technology at American Express.

“We believe that an inclusive and diverse workforce provides a competitive advantage in the marketplace. American Express is committed to developing a talent pool that brings together unique perspectives, backgrounds and experiences, and we’re proud to stand by side with TechGig to back women in technology.”

The fifth edition of this popular coding contest for women technologists will witness intense competition in themes like Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Cloudify Everything, Solution Hunters Hackathon among others.

Over the years, TechGig Geek Goddess code competition has witnessed enthusiastic participation from women coders from across India. In fact, in the previous year, the competition saw participation from 68,791 women technologists and helped several women techies realise their dreams.

“I enjoyed every minute of the event. Everything was executed so perfectly! After meeting and listening to all women leaders, I am more motivated and rebel. In today’s world where we are constantly talking about gender diversity, TechGig is one platform which is doing something about it. I would highly recommend this great platform for all women coders to showcase their skills,” said Snehlata Mishra, TechGig Geek Goddess 2018 champion.

Another promising technology talent from the 2018 competition, Nithya Vasudevan, the Machine Learning theme winner said, “TechGig Geek Goddess was a good opportunity for many of us to showcase our talent and motivate us by introducing us to women leaders from top IT/Tech companies. TechGig is a great platform to create transparency between coders, technology enthusiasts and top companies.”

About TechGig

TechGig is a culmination of everything related to technology. TechGig is a platform exclusively for IT professionals to synergize, share, exchange ideas, facts and information as well as showcase their work and express their views on the vast repertoire that the IT industry encompasses. Garnering cutting-edge insights, jobs, reviews and news, as well as providing a platform for connecting with colleagues and peers are the mainstay of TechGig.

Narayana Murthy, Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella are Top Tech Inspiration for Indian Techies

In an exclusive survey conducted by IT learning platform TechGig, about 64% Indian IT professionals voted for NR Narayana Murthy as the game changer for desi technology sector. Also, Google’s Sundar Pichai topped the list of India-born technology leaders whom most Indians are proud of. He was followed by Microsoft’s Satya Nadella and NIO’s CEO Padmasree Warrior at second and third position, respectively.

In the last 71 years, India has relentlessly worked to become a top player in various spheres, and it has been able to achieve that feat in Technology sector undoubtedly. Today, IT is one of the biggest contributors to India’s GDP, economy and overall success story. To understand major milestones in India’s growth story, TechGig conducted an exclusive survey on IT professionals and the findings revealed the major milestones, as perceived by the Indian techies. Here are the chief outcomes:

Narayana Murthy - The game changer in IT sector

Indian IT sector has been benefitted by contributions of many stalwarts but clearly, Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy remains a hot favourite among the tech professionals. The surveyed professionals were asked to enlist the name of an Indian who created the biggest impact in Indian IT industry, and Narayana Murthy topped the charts among many present and past IT leaders. He served Infosys for around 21 years but his imprint on the mind of Indian techies seems everlasting.

Murthy was followed by Wipro’s Azim Premji and Tata’s N Chandrasekaran on the second and third positions, respectively.

Technology has made jobs more competitive

TechGig’s survey also revealed that technological advancement in last 71 years has given an unprecedented boost to the Indian job market. Around 60% of surveyed professionals support the fact that adoption of technology has been an enabler of jobs, rather than a destroyer. These techies also enlisted that the continuous progression and development on technological front has led to an increase in demand for job profiles like web developer, data engineer, data analyst in recent times.

About 95% of survey respondents said that advancement of technology has made jobs more competitive. About 66% of Indian employees in Tech domain feel that their work is as competitive as jobs abroad. Also, 66% of professionals feel that Indian companies are no longer just the outsourcing hub, possibly because most of them are focussing on R&D to differentiate their offerings from the rest.

“Modern India has a strong focus on science and technology. Today everything in the corporate world is revolving around Big Data, AI, IoT, mapping the future of IT industry, which indeed is fabulous. According to recent trends IT industry will witness a sharp upsurge in off-shore demand. Also, the Indian IT sector will gain momentum, creating a plethora of job opportunities for IT people and future ahead,” said Ramathreya Krishnamurthi – Business Head, TimesJobs & TechGig.

Sundar Pichai, tops the list of India-born leaders

Talented Indians have made breakthroughs, pushed boundaries and held positions of power in the world of technology. According to TechGig survey Google CEO, Sundar Pichai tops the list of India-born technology leaders of whom Indians are proud of, followed by Satya Nadella and Padmasree Warrior at second and third position respectively.

Complete survey findings are available at https://bit.ly/2wKZSLa

TechGig is a culmination of everything related to technology, a platform exclusively for IT professionals to synergize, share, exchange ideas, facts and information as well as showcase their work and express their views on the vast repertoire that the IT industry encompasses. Garnering cutting-edge insights, jobs, reviews and news, as well as providing a platform for connecting with colleagues and peers are the mainstay of TechGig.

[The above content is published unedited via Business Wire India feed]