Welcome to the WomenInTechPK community! We’re thrilled to have you join us. To maintain a positive, respectful, and supportive space for everyone, we’ve established some community guidelines. Please read and follow these rules to help us create an environment where everyone can thrive.

1. Women-Only Space

WomenInTechPK is an exclusive community designed for women in the technology industry. To maintain a supportive and safe environment for women, participation is limited to those who identify as women.

• Eligibility: Membership is open to women from all professional backgrounds in tech, whether you are a beginner, experienced professional, or enthusiast.
• Exceptions: While our core members must be women, the admin team may occasionally engage with male allies, partners, or experts for specific events, discussions, or initiatives that benefit the community as a whole.
• Respect the space: We expect all members to honor the intention of this women-only space and ensure it remains a safe place for sharing, learning, and professional development.

2. Admin Discretion

The admin team reserves the right to take action on any behavior that violates these rules. This may include:

• Deleting inappropriate posts or comments.
• Issuing warnings to offending members.
• Removing or banning members who repeatedly violate community standards.
• Any decision taken will prioritize the safety and well-being of the community.

Admins aim to maintain a fair and positive space. If you have any questions about the rules or a decision, feel free to ask for clarification.

3. Respect and Kindness, Above All

Our community values respect, empathy, and understanding. Every member should feel welcome and safe, regardless of their background or experience level. To maintain this, we expect all interactions to be kind and respectful. Specifically:

• No discriminatory language: Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, or any form of discrimination will not be tolerated. Comments or jokes targeting someone’s identity are unacceptable.
• No personal attacks: Criticism should focus on ideas, not individuals. Name-calling, bullying, or public shaming are strictly prohibited.
• No harassment: This includes unwelcome comments, threats, or any behavior that makes others feel uncomfortable or unsafe, whether in public forums or private messages.

4. Constructive Discussions and Feedback

Constructive criticism is essential for growth, but it should always be delivered thoughtfully. We encourage open discussions where people feel free to share their ideas, but feedback should be provided in a way that encourages learning and improvement:

• Be mindful of tone: Written communication can easily be misinterpreted. Try to be clear and positive when offering feedback.
• Ask before offering feedback: Sometimes, people share their thoughts or projects without seeking critique. Always check if they’re open to feedback before offering it.
• Focus on solutions: If you have constructive criticism, try to offer a solution or alternative perspective to help move the conversation forward.

5. Zero Tolerance for Harassment or Discrimination

We have a zero-tolerance policy for harassment and discrimination of any kind. This applies to all forms of communication, including direct messages, comments, and group discussions. Unacceptable behavior includes:

• Offensive remarks or jokes based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristics.
• Unwanted attention: Any unwelcome or intrusive behavior, whether sexual or otherwise, is not allowed.
• Intentional exclusion: Purposefully excluding or alienating someone based on their identity or beliefs is unacceptable.

We encourage all members to be allies. If you witness harassment or discrimination, please report it to an admin immediately.

6. No Spam, Donations, MLMs, or Self-Promotion

Our community thrives on relevant, meaningful interactions. Unsolicited promotions, advertisements, or irrelevant posts detract from this experience. To ensure that content remains valuable:

• No promotional content: This includes unrelated business advertisements, personal promotions, or repeated links to external websites unless they directly benefit the community.
• No buying/selling or asking for likes/followers: Posts related to buying, selling, or trading services/products, as well as requests for likes or followers on social media platforms, will be removed instantly. Members involved in such activities will be banned from the community. WomenInTechPK is not a marketplace or a promotional platform, and these types of posts undermine the community’s purpose.
• No Donation Posts: Posts requesting or promoting donations of any kind are not allowed. This includes crowdfunding campaigns, charity drives, or any solicitation for financial contributions.
• No MLMs: Posting or promoting Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) schemes will result in an instant ban from the community.
• Share content with value: If you have a resource or event you think will benefit the community, feel free to share it after checking with an admin or ensuring it aligns with our community goals.
• Promote responsibly: If you’re sharing your own project, ensure it’s relevant to the community’s goals, and consider participating in discussions before self-promoting.

7. Keep it Professional and Safe

Our community serves as a professional network where we can share, learn, and grow together. To ensure the safety and comfort of all members, the following types of content are not allowed:

• Inappropriate content: This includes explicit, offensive, or illegal content of any kind.
• Discussions promoting illegal activity: Conversations encouraging or promoting unethical or illegal behavior are strictly prohibited.
• Respectful networking: Approach networking with a professional mindset. Be considerate when reaching out to others, and avoid spamming personal or business opportunities.

8. Confidentiality and Privacy

Privacy is a cornerstone of trust within the community. Protecting your own privacy and respecting the privacy of others is paramount. Members must not:

• Share private information: Do not post or share personal details (yours or others) such as email addresses, phone numbers, or private messages without permission.
• No doxxing: Revealing personal information about another member without their consent is a serious violation.
• Respect private conversations: What’s shared in private messages or closed discussions stays there unless both parties agree to make it public.
• Respect privacy: Conversations, personal experiences, and sensitive information shared within the community must remain private and confidential. What is shared within WomenInTechPK stays within WomenInTechPK.
• No screenshots or external sharing: Taking screenshots or sharing any content from the community outside of the group, whether through social media, blogs, or private messages, is strictly prohibited unless explicit permission is granted by all parties involved.
• Privacy within anonymous posts: For anonymous posts, the identity of the poster must be respected, and no attempts should be made to expose or share their personal information.

9. Be Supportive and Inclusive

WomenInTechPK is built on the idea of support and inclusivity. We encourage members to:

• Offer assistance: If someone asks for help, and you have relevant experience, try to assist or guide them in the right direction.
• Celebrate successes: Acknowledge and celebrate each other’s wins, whether they’re job promotions, project launches, or personal milestones.
• Be welcoming: We want everyone to feel they belong here. Greet new members warmly, and be open to making connections with individuals from different backgrounds.

10. Report Violations or Issues

We take the safety and comfort of our members seriously. If you encounter behavior that violates these rules, please report it to the admin team immediately. All reports will be handled confidentially, and appropriate action will be taken, which may include:

• Issuing a warning or temporary suspension.
• Permanent removal from the community for serious or repeated violations.
• Investigation of reported behavior to ensure fair and balanced decisions.

11. Engage Positively

We encourage meaningful engagement that adds value to discussions and helps members grow. Here’s how you can contribute positively:

• Ask thoughtful questions: If you’re looking for advice or feedback, frame your questions clearly to encourage constructive responses.
• Share valuable resources: If you come across an article, tool, or event that could benefit the community, share it along with your thoughts on why it’s helpful.
• Participate in discussions: Engage with others’ posts thoughtfully by sharing your insights, experiences, or encouragement.

12. Anonymous Posts

We understand that some topics may be sensitive or personal, and you may feel more comfortable posting anonymously. We allow anonymous posts, but they must adhere to the same community rules and standards as non-anonymous content. Here’s how we handle anonymous posts:

• Adhere to community rules: Anonymous posts must still follow all community guidelines, including respect, kindness, and professionalism.
• Sensitive content: Anonymous posts should be used for sensitive issues such as workplace concerns, personal experiences, or topics where privacy is important. They should not be used to spread misinformation, make baseless accusations, or post-inflammatory content.
• Moderation: Anonymous posts are subject to admins’ review before they go live. This ensures that content aligns with community standards and that no harmful or disruptive material is posted anonymously.
• Accountability: Even though the post may be anonymous to the community, admins will know the poster’s identity. This is to ensure accountability and prevent misuse of anonymity.
• Reporting issues: If you see an anonymous post that violates the rules, you can report it just like any other post. The admin team will investigate and take appropriate action.
• No job posts anonymously: All job opportunities must be posted with transparency. Anonymous posts are not allowed for job listings or career opportunities, as transparency and trust are crucial for professional exchanges. Members must disclose their identity or company affiliation when posting job-related content.

13. No Liability for Community Content/External Links

The content shared within the WomenInTechPK community reflects the views and opinions of individual members and not necessarily the views of the community administrators or moderators. The community does not take responsibility for the accuracy, reliability, or legality of any content posted by members.

• Community discussions: While we strive to maintain high standards of conversation, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of every piece of advice, opinion, or information shared. Always use your own judgment and discretion when following advice or guidance provided by other members.
• External links: Members may share external links (such as articles, tools, or resources). These links are for informational purposes only. The community is not responsible for the content of these external sites, their security, or any consequences from using them (such as malware or misinformation).
• Personal responsibility: Members are encouraged to independently verify the information they find within the community or through any links provided. Use caution when following external links, and always protect your privacy and security online.

14. Don’t Engage in Academic Dishonesty

Integrity is critical in our community, especially when it comes to sharing knowledge and participating in discussions. Members must:

• Avoid plagiarism: All content you share, including articles, code, and resources, should be your original work or properly credited to the source.
• Prohibit posts related to academic assignments, papers, reports, or thesis writing: We do not allow any posts or requests related to the completion of academic assignments, term papers, reports, or thesis writing. Offering or soliciting help for such work not only undermines academic integrity but also violates the principles of honest learning and self-improvement. These engagements go against the academic pledge of honesty and are considered unethical. In many countries, including Pakistan, such activities are deemed illegal and can have severe consequences, including academic penalties and legal action.
• Do not cheat: Whether you are seeking academic support, working on a project, or preparing for exams, engaging in or encouraging dishonest practices such as copying, outsourcing assignments, or sharing test answers is not permitted.
• Support ethical learning: We encourage members to help others by guiding them to learn and grow rather than offering shortcuts or unethical solutions to academic challenges.

15.Don’t Engage in Piracy

As a tech community, we must respect intellectual property rights and the law. This includes:

• No sharing of pirated materials: This includes illegal copies of software, books, courses, or other digital content.
• Avoid promoting piracy: Do not share or encourage the use of illegal download links, cracked software, or unauthorized access to paid content.
• Support creators: Whenever possible, use and promote legal ways to access resources. Encourage the use of free, open-source alternatives instead of pirated content.

16. Right to Admission

We reserve the right to approve, deny, or revoke membership in the WomenInTechPK community at the discretion of the admin team. Admission into the community is a privilege, not a right, and is granted based on alignment with the community’s goals, values, and standards of behavior.

• Criteria for admission: Members are expected to demonstrate respect, professionalism, and a genuine interest in contributing to and benefiting from the community.
• Right to revoke access: If a member violates the community rules or engages in behavior that undermines the community’s goals, their membership may be suspended or revoked without prior notice.
• No obligation for re-admission: Once a membership is revoked, there is no obligation to readmit the individual. Appeals for re-admission will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

By joining WomenInTechPK, you agree to uphold these rules and contribute to a supportive, inclusive, and professional environment. Together, we can create a space where everyone feels empowered to grow, learn, and succeed.

Let’s keep building a vibrant and positive community for women in tech!

*Note: The community rules and membership criteria are subject to change without notice.