That the future of the ICT sector in Montenegro must no longer be predominantly reserved for men was the message delivered today by the winners of the creative challenge within the campaign “Girls Hack Stereotypes.” At the central event held at the Science and Technology Park of Montenegro, which brought together top representatives of the European Union, civil society, and the business sector, works were presented that prove a new generation of girls is ready to take the helm in the professions of the future.
The campaign, traditionally implemented by Company One, this year, through a strong partnership with the Delegation of the European Union, the Women’s Rights Center, ICT Cortex, and IEC Tehnopolis, succeeded in bringing public attention to the cultural norms that distance girls from technology.
The central part of the event was a panel discussion where leaders of partner organizations spoke candidly about the core issue—economic power and the absence of women from positions where key decisions are made.
“Today we didn’t just present awards—we saw proof that these girls have a vision and courage that surpass the stereotypes society places on them. It is our duty, not only as Company One but as leaders across sectors, to provide them with access to circles of power where tomorrow is shaped. The fact that globally only one in five leadership positions in the tech industry is held by women is a call to action that we unanimously accepted today in Podgorica. We do not want to teach them to adapt, we want them to create their own rules,” said Branko Mitrović, CEO of Company One.
That Montenegro’s digital transformation must be inclusive was also confirmed by other leaders of the United Partner Front.
“For the European Union, the inclusion of women in ICT is not just a matter of fairness; it is a matter of quality, competitiveness, and progress. A digital Europe and a digital Montenegro belong to everyone. When women and girls are not only users of technology but also its creators, we make the digital world not only more equal, but better,” emphasized Friederike Wuenschmann, Policy Officer for Human Rights and Rule of Law at the EU Delegation to Montenegro.
“Being the only woman in an industry is neither easy nor comfortable, but it is important. Every time one of us takes on a project, leads a team, or steps into a profession that was not long ours, a girl sees it and shifts the boundaries of what she believes is possible. That is why women in IT need to be visible, to inspire, and to be role models. That is how the world changes,” said Maja Raičević, Executive Director of the Women’s Rights Center.
From the perspective of ICT Cortex, which brings together leading IT companies in Montenegro, they stress that the digital future cannot be sustainable without the inclusion of all.
“Through this campaign and the training sessions delivered over the past month by mentors from our member companies, we sent a very clear message: there is a place in the IT industry for everyone who has knowledge, curiosity, and the courage to create. It is up to us as the business sector to open doors, but also to actively ensure that girls see those doors as opportunities. This generation is already showing that there are no limits!” said Maja Laušević Odalović, Executive Director of ICT Cortex.
“That Montenegro’s digital transformation must be inclusive is confirmed by our daily work with girls who, with the right support, quickly develop confidence and an interest in ICT. These workshops clearly show that stereotypes can be successfully broken at the local level, creating space for a new generation of girls who see themselves as equal actors in the digital future,” said Đorđije Brkuljan, Acting Executive Director of IEC Tehnopolis.
Digital Exhibition: Creativity as a Response to Prejudice
During the event, a digital exhibition was opened showcasing the works of students who participated in workshops in Nikšić and Podgorica. Through videos, digital comics, and animations, participants authentically “hacked” prejudice.
The award for best digital execution went to Nikolina Pisarević for a digital game she designed and developed on the theme “Girls Hack Stereotypes.”
The jury’s award for best message went to 17-year-old Katarina Vlahović, a student of Slobodan Škerović High School.
The award for the most creative work went to ten-year-old Ella Marković.
After the official part, participants, in cooperation with mentors from ICT Cortex, took part in practical workshops where they had the opportunity to learn firsthand about the process of creating technological solutions. Within the workshop organized by the Women’s Rights Center, they learned how to recognize stereotypes, how to respond to them, and how to contribute to overcoming them.
This event once again confirmed that when the private sector, international organizations, and civil society join forces, the message of equality gains the necessary weight and tangible results. The campaign “Girls Hack Stereotypes” concludes its 2026 cycle with this event, but the mission of empowering girls remains a lasting commitment of all partners.
