WiDEF officially launched on March 12, 2024 in New York City during the 68th session of the Commission of the Status of Women. More than 400 people gathered in person and online, to celebrate the beginning of this exciting initiative. The event featured remarks from distinguished voices in the gender equality and digital inclusion space including: USAID Administrator Samantha Power, Jackie Jones (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), Rachel Vogelstein (White House Gender Policy Council), Shikoh Gitau (Qhala), Karen Smit (Vodacom), and Osama Manzar (Digital Empowerment Foundation) and more.

If you missed the event, you can watch a recording of the launch below.