The webinar titled “Empowering Women in Standards: Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities” was successfully conducted on 09 February 2026. The event started with welcoming remarks from Mr. İhsan ÖVÜT, Secretary General of SMIIC, who emphasized the importance of women’s active participation in standardization and their vital role in strengthening inclusive and sustainable quality infrastructure.

The webinar included the following distinguished speakers:

• Lance Thompson, Secretary of United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Working Party on Regulatory Cooperation and Standardization Policies (WP.6)
• Rachel Miller Prada, Project Manager, International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• Liliane Kamanzi, Project Coordinator, African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO)
• Dr. Kamala Mammadzada, Acting Director General, Azerbaijan Standardization Institute (AZSTAND)

The discussions focused on women’s contributions to shaping international standards, participation trends, leadership experiences, and the challenges and opportunities women face within the standards ecosystem.

The webinar saw the participation of more than 100 women experts from SMIIC Member States and concluded with a lively question-and-answer session. The webinar was structured across four key phases—Standardization, Metrology, Certification, and Accreditation—and will continue through upcoming sessions in the period ahead.