Zahra Shah

Born in London, Zahra Shah is a British Pakistani who is dedicated towards helping women in conflict affected areas learn technological skills and get involved in technological sectors. After graduating and obtaining her bachelor's degree from Goldsmiths College, which is part of the University of London, she was introduced to the tech start-up world through her work at one of the fastest growing start-ups at that time, Groupon. She immediately fell in love with the environment and the innovation that was happening at the company. In order to get her masters, she had to quit her job and move to Amsterdam, but she decided to join a start-up there as well.

Shah realized that she was in "a unique position" as she is able to "relate to local women and girls" since she is a British Pakistani who wears a hijab. She is able to provide representation to the women in Iraq and demonstrate how they too can be a part of the tech sector and even a managerial role. Thus, Zahra currently works as a program manager for Re:Coded in Iraq.

Re:Coded is an NGO that was founded in order to help the young people affected by war join the technology sector. Because millions of young students are displaced in Syria, Iraq, and other conflict affected areas, there is a need for formal education and reliable, good-paying jobs. Re:Coded aims to not only teach the youth in these areas the digital skills they need to find jobs but also give them the ability to become "leaders in their communities" as "that is the most powerful multiplier effect." The NGO offers courses and workshops and has trained over 1800 children, with over 40 percent female participation.

“Technology provides women with a lot of flexibility, no matter what lifestyle they choose" - Shah.

As a program manager, Shah runs the coding and entrepreneurship programs, and she is working on expanding the programs to other areas and cities. Because of the lack of infrastructure in these countries, it has been difficult for her to develop her program as much as she wants to. One of her primary goals is to change people's minds about relying on government jobs and instead consider non-conventional options: for example, freelancing, which allows more flexibility to women.

“If a woman decides to start a family, for example, that shouldn’t stop her from also thinking about a career. The choice doesn’t have to be one or the other anymore” - Shah.