Xiaochao Duan

Xiaochao Duan

Intern, Regional Office in East Africa

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What brought you to a career in technology at the United Nations?

I want to challenge myself and encourage other girls like me in my country to catch their dreams. Because I was dropped by my original family for gender reasons. But I passed the dark time and achieved my dream to be in the UN. I knew It is too easy to say give up, especially for the girl surviving the gender judgment and inequality of education or family support. However, I want to light more girls' dreams.

What has been your favorite technology project or initiative at the United Nations and why? What was your contribution?

I worked for Health Assistant Section in UNODC ROEA to analyze HIV/AIDS data by science pathway. I take advantage of the R program and the epidemiology knowledge.

What advice would you give women interested in pursuing a field in technology?

Never say wait to yourself. Time goes faster than your think. Once you have any idea, go to catch it as soon as possible. In addition, try to focus on your voice and ignore judgment from the outside.