This session features Amanda, head of mining at Galaxy Digital, interviewing Roya, an influential Afghan tech entrepreneur and advocate for women’s empowerment. Roya shares her inspiring journey from growing up under Taliban oppression, witnessing the destruction of knowledge and freedom, to discovering her passion for technology despite cultural challenges. She discusses her father’s support, the struggle of women gaining access to education and jobs in a male-dominated field, and her efforts to create safe spaces for women to learn coding and technology. Roya highlights her initiatives like building IT centers for girls, promoting robotics teams, and overcoming societal resistance. She also details her innovative use of Bitcoin to empower women financially in Afghanistan, explaining both the benefits and risks associated with cryptocurrency in volatile environments. The conversation underscores themes of resilience, community-building, education, and financial freedom, with Roya urging mass education on crypto adoption to secure its future in developing countries. The session closes on a hopeful note about opening doors for others and supporting those in need.
