Empowering Women in the Public Sector: A Challenge-Based Learning Approach to Achieving Gender Equity

Abstract: The public sector is under increasing pressure to deliver efficient citizen-centric services, accentuating the significance of innovative GovTech solutions. Gender disparities, however, persist in the public sector, more so in leadership positions, impeding women's capacity to co-design and implement inclusive public services. To address this imbalance, the GovStack Initiative launched the "Women in GovTech Challenge", a pioneering program aimed at supporting a more diverse and inclusive GovTech ecosystem. Drawing on relevant literature, this paper investigates the necessity for the "Women in GovTech Challenge" program. The analysis delves into the theoretical foundations that shaped the program's six-stage development and novel design, with its emphasis on moulding digital transformation leaders through mentorship-enriched, challenge-based learning experiences. The study acknowledges the need for further research, particularly on how to expand the program beyond the pilot, how to sustain it in the future, and the program's influence on participants' professional development and the broader GovTech ecosystem.

Keywords: Global Partnerships, Gender Equity, Challenge-Based Learning, Public Sector Knowledge Sharing, Mentorship

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1004937

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