Code of Conduct

Creating a safe, respectful, inclusive, and trusted community for everyone.

Last updated: September 2026

1. Our Commitment to Our Community

FemTechConf® is dedicated to creating an inclusive, respectful, professional, and welcoming environment where people from across technology, business, science, and innovation can learn, connect, share experiences, and grow together.

As one of the largest global communities for women in technology and allies, bringing together more than 450,000 members worldwide, we recognise our responsibility to protect the integrity, safety, and trust of the community we have built.

Our events and initiatives exist to amplify underrepresented voices, encourage meaningful professional development, promote diversity and inclusion, and create opportunities for individuals and organisations to contribute to positive change.

We believe that everyone participating in our community deserves to be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

This Code of Conduct establishes the standards of behaviour expected from everyone who participates in FemTechConf® events, programmes, activities, and associated community spaces.

Participation in our events and community is conditional upon compliance with this Code of Conduct, subject to applicable laws and contractual terms.

2. Scope and Applicability

This Code of Conduct applies to all individuals and organisations participating in or associated with FemTechConf® activities, including:

Conference attendees and ticket holders
Speakers, moderators, panellists, trainers, and workshop facilitators
Sponsors, exhibitors, commercial partners, and their representatives
Volunteers, ambassadors, organisers, contractors, and service providers
Members of the press, photographers, videographers, and content creators
Community members participating in official online discussions, programmes, or activities
Anyone representing or associating themselves with FemTechConf® in an official or professional capacity

The Code applies across all official FemTechConf® activities, including:

Physical conferences, networking events, and workshops
VIP receptions, afterparties, and affiliated social gatherings
Virtual conferences, webinars, and online programmes
Official community channels, platforms, and discussion groups
Event-related communications, presentations, and promotional materials
Relevant professional interactions arising directly from participation in our events or community

Behaviour occurring outside an official event may also be considered where it directly affects participant safety, involves misuse of FemTechConf® resources or branding, or materially impacts the integrity of an official activity.

3. Respect, Inclusion, and Equal Treatment

FemTechConf® is committed to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, socioeconomic background, professional status, or technology preferences.

We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying, intimidation, or behaviour that creates a hostile or exclusionary environment.

All participants are expected to:

Treat others with courtesy, professionalism, and respect.
Respect different perspectives, experiences, backgrounds, and opinions.
Engage in constructive discussion, including when disagreements arise.
Respect personal boundaries, including the right to decline conversations, physical contact, photographs, or professional approaches.
Avoid discriminatory, offensive, degrading, or threatening language and conduct.
Support an inclusive environment in which everyone has an opportunity to participate.

Disagreement and constructive criticism are welcome when expressed respectfully. Personal attacks, targeted abuse, or intimidation are not.

4. Harassment, Bullying, and Unacceptable Behaviour

Harassment and abusive behaviour are prohibited at all FemTechConf® activities.

Examples of unacceptable behaviour include, but are not limited to:

Offensive or discriminatory comments relating to personal characteristics or identity.
Unwelcome sexual advances, inappropriate physical contact, or sexual harassment.
Deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, or threats of violence.
Persistent unwanted contact or attention after an individual has indicated that it is unwelcome.
Harassing photography, filming, or recording.
Publicly displaying sexually explicit, degrading, or inappropriate materials in event environments.
Sustained disruption of presentations, workshops, networking activities, or organised discussions.
Bullying, humiliation, personal attacks, or targeted online harassment.
Retaliation against individuals who raise concerns or report misconduct in good faith.

Participants who are asked to stop inappropriate or harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately.

These standards apply equally to sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, attendees, volunteers, and event representatives.

Commercial partners and exhibitors must ensure that their displays, activities, promotional materials, and staff conduct are appropriate for a professional and inclusive conference environment.

5. Commercial Exploitation of Community and Brand Association

5.1 Protecting the Integrity of FemTechConf®

FemTechConf® has developed its community, reputation, events, professional networks, and commercial partnerships through sustained investment, collaboration, and the contributions of its members.

We are committed to ensuring that participation in our activities creates genuine value for the community and does not result in the unauthorised exploitation of our organisation, brand, or members.

FemTechConf® does not permit the unauthorised commercial exploitation of its name, reputation, intellectual property, events, or community for personal or organisational financial gain.

Participation in a FemTechConf® event, whether as a speaker, attendee, volunteer, contributor, or representative of an organisation, does not automatically provide commercial marketing rights, access to community data, or authorisation to represent a commercial association with FemTechConf®.

5.2 Unauthorised Commercial Promotion

Unless expressly approved in writing, participants must not use FemTechConf® branding, official promotional assets, event platforms, or materials in a way that presents their products or services as officially endorsed, promoted, sponsored, or commercially associated with FemTechConf®.

Restricted activities include:

Using the FemTechConf® name, logo, or official branding in advertisements promoting personal or organisational services without authorisation.
Presenting a speaking engagement or participation in a FemTechConf® event as an official commercial partnership or endorsement.
Creating promotional materials suggesting that a paid workshop, course, consulting service, product, or programme is officially associated with FemTechConf® without approval.
Using official event images, recordings, or branded assets as part of a commercial sales campaign without the required permissions.
Incorporating FemTechConf® branding into commercial landing pages, sales funnels, paid advertising, or promotional campaigns without authorisation.
Using official FemTechConf® communication channels, speaking sessions, or allocated event resources for commercial advertising outside the agreed scope of participation.

Commercial promotional rights must be approved separately and, where applicable, established through a formal sponsorship, licensing, or partnership agreement.

5.3 Professional Recognition and Legitimate Networking

FemTechConf® actively encourages participants to celebrate their involvement, share their experiences, recognise their contributions, and develop meaningful professional relationships.

The following activities are generally welcome:

Publicly identifying oneself as a speaker, panellist, attendee, or contributor at a FemTechConf® event.
Sharing personal reflections, professional insights, and lessons learned from participation.
Mentioning or tagging FemTechConf® in genuine event recaps and acknowledgements.
Including an accurate FemTechConf® speaking engagement in a professional biography, CV, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile.
Networking with attendees and exploring mutually agreed professional opportunities.
Discussing one's own professional experience, employment, organisation, or area of expertise.

An individual's professional background, business ownership, or commercial interests do not themselves constitute a violation.

However, these activities must not misrepresent the nature of the relationship with FemTechConf®, imply an endorsement that has not been granted, or involve other unauthorised uses of protected materials or community resources.

FemTechConf® distinguishes between legitimate professional recognition and using an event association as part of a commercial marketing campaign.

5.4 Fairness to Commercial Partners

FemTechConf® works with sponsors and commercial partners who invest in agreed promotional opportunities, brand visibility, community engagement, and event participation.

These agreements may provide specific rights to commercial promotion, event branding, exhibition space, sponsored content, workshops, recruitment activities, or community engagement.

All participants must respect the distinction between general event participation and commercial partnership rights.

No speaker, attendee, exhibitor, or third party may independently claim or exercise promotional rights reserved for authorised partners without the necessary agreement.

This policy is designed to ensure consistency and fairness while preserving genuine professional networking and community collaboration.

6. Speaker, Moderator, and Contributor Responsibilities

Speakers and contributors play an important role in shaping the FemTechConf® experience.

We value the expertise, preparation, and professional experiences they bring to our community, and we aim to provide a meaningful platform for knowledge sharing and visibility.

Speakers and contributors are expected to:

Deliver content consistent with their approved session description and agreed format.
Prioritise education, relevant insights, and meaningful audience value.
Respect agreed presentation deadlines, schedules, and organisational requirements.
Observe all applicable Speaker Guidelines and participation agreements.
Avoid discriminatory, offensive, misleading, or inappropriate material.
Respect confidentiality, intellectual property rights, and relevant third-party permissions.
Obtain prior approval for any substantial commercial or promotional elements included in their sessions.

6.1 Commercial Promotion by Speakers

A speaking engagement at FemTechConf® is not, by itself, a commercial sponsorship, brand endorsement, or advertising arrangement.

Speakers may identify their professional affiliations, explain their expertise, reference relevant projects, and describe their organisations where appropriate to the session.

However, unless specifically approved in writing, speaker sessions and official event channels must not be used primarily as a sales presentation, commercial product demonstration, or advertising opportunity.

Examples of activities requiring prior approval include:

Direct sales pitches for paid workshops, courses, consulting services, or products during an official speaking session.
Prominent commercial calls to action unrelated to the educational purpose of the presentation.
Distribution of unsolicited commercial offers or lead-generation forms through official conference channels.
Use of FemTechConf® branding in advertising that promotes the speaker's paid services as an official event offering.
Promotional campaigns that imply endorsement, certification, or an ongoing commercial relationship with FemTechConf®.

Speakers are free to benefit professionally from the visibility and connections created through their participation, provided their conduct respects these standards.

6.2 Speaker Promotional Materials

Speakers are encouraged to promote their participation using event information, approved branding, and promotional assets made available by FemTechConf®.

Use of these materials is limited to their authorised purpose and does not automatically grant permission for unrelated advertising, commercial resale, or third-party distribution.

Where speakers wish to use official event assets in commercial campaigns, written approval may be required.

Any additional promotional rights must be agreed separately.

7. Community Access, Networking, and Solicitation

7.1 Respectful Networking

FemTechConf® exists to create opportunities for people to connect, exchange ideas, build professional relationships, and discover new possibilities.

Networking, collaboration, recruitment discussions, mentorship, and consensual business conversations are encouraged.

All professional engagement must remain respectful, transparent, and voluntary.

7.2 Unsolicited Commercial Solicitation

Participants must not misuse access to FemTechConf® attendees, speakers, community members, or communication channels for intrusive or unauthorised commercial purposes.

Prohibited or restricted activities include:

Mass unsolicited sales messaging to participants using contact information obtained through FemTechConf®.
Scraping, harvesting, or compiling attendee information for unauthorised marketing or lead generation.
Adding participants to commercial mailing lists without an appropriate lawful basis.
Using private attendee directories or event-platform information for unrelated marketing campaigns.
Continuing to pursue individuals for business opportunities after they have declined or asked not to be contacted.
Misrepresenting a commercial approach as an official FemTechConf® initiative.
Reselling, trading, or distributing community contact information without authorisation and an appropriate legal basis.

A consensual business conversation or professional connection is not inherently a violation.

Participants are expected to respect individual preferences and comply with applicable privacy and electronic marketing laws.

7.3 Recruitment and Talent Engagement

Recruitment and career opportunities form an important part of the FemTechConf® ecosystem.

Employers, recruiters, and hiring professionals may engage in genuine professional conversations and discuss relevant career opportunities where appropriate.

However, access to FemTechConf® does not automatically authorise bulk recruitment campaigns, automated attendee outreach, or the extraction of attendee data.

Dedicated recruitment activities, sponsored hiring programmes, exhibition opportunities, and access to official recruitment channels may require separate approval or commercial agreements.

8. Photography, Video, Recordings, and Event Content

8.1 Official Event Photography and Recordings

FemTechConf® may commission professional photographers, videographers, production teams, and other content creators to document its events and activities.

Official photographs, recordings, videos, interviews, and other materials may be subject to copyright, contractual restrictions, licensing arrangements, and data protection requirements.

Participation in an event does not automatically grant ownership of, or unrestricted usage rights to, materials created by photographers, videographers, or other rights holders.

Access to a photograph or recording does not necessarily constitute permission to publish, distribute, modify, license, or commercially exploit that material.

8.2 Distribution and Publication

Official commissioned materials must be distributed in accordance with the relevant contractual arrangements and permissions of the applicable rights holders.

Speakers, attendees, partners, contractors, and other participants must not assume that materials received informally or through third parties are authorised for unrestricted use.

Where official materials are provided by FemTechConf®, recipients must comply with any accompanying usage instructions or licence terms.

Participants must obtain the necessary permissions before incorporating official photography, video, or other protected materials into commercial advertising or promotional campaigns.

Any photographer, videographer, or content creator engaged by FemTechConf® must comply with the applicable commissioning agreement and agreed procedures for delivery, publication, licensing, and third-party distribution.

8.3 Personal Photography and Sharing

We welcome participants sharing their experiences through personal photography, videos, and social media content, provided this is done respectfully and lawfully.

Participants must:

Respect individuals who do not wish to be photographed or recorded.
Avoid intrusive or harassing photography.
Respect clearly communicated photography restrictions in private or restricted areas.
Avoid publishing confidential, sensitive, or private information captured incidentally.
Obtain relevant permissions before using identifiable individuals in commercial advertising where required by law.
Respect venue rules and the rights of other participants.

Personal photography is not automatically subject to the same licensing terms as officially commissioned photography.

8.4 Recording Presentations and Workshops

Recording, reproducing, distributing, or commercially exploiting complete presentations, workshops, or restricted sessions may require prior approval.

Participants must respect any restrictions communicated by organisers or speakers.

Recording private conversations without the necessary consent or legal basis is prohibited.

Unauthorised redistribution of paid, restricted-access, or confidential event content is not permitted.

8.5 AI-Generated and Manipulated Content

Participants must not use AI-generated, manipulated, or misleading content to falsely suggest:

That FemTechConf® has endorsed a person, service, product, or organisation.
That an individual made statements they did not make.
That a speaker, attendee, or organiser participated in a commercial promotion without their agreement.
That an event, partnership, award, or professional association exists when it does not.

The use of AI tools must respect applicable privacy, intellectual property, and consent requirements.

9. Intellectual Property, Trademarks, and Brand Representation

The FemTechConf® name, logos, visual identity, event branding, and associated proprietary materials are important elements of our organisation's identity.

Participants must not use these assets in ways that mislead audiences regarding their relationship with FemTechConf® or exceed applicable permissions.

Without appropriate authorisation, participants must not:

Represent themselves as official FemTechConf® partners, representatives, or affiliates.
Use FemTechConf® logos or branding as a primary feature of commercial advertisements.
Create websites, social media accounts, campaigns, or programmes that impersonate or misleadingly resemble official FemTechConf® initiatives.
Use FemTechConf® branding to suggest official approval of products, services, training programmes, or commercial offerings.
Sell or license official event materials without the necessary rights.
Misrepresent speaker participation as commercial endorsement or official accreditation.

Accurate, non-misleading references to participation, such as identifying a past speaking engagement, are permitted, subject to applicable law.

Any use of our name or materials beyond this scope may require prior written approval.

FemTechConf® reserves the right to request correction or removal of unauthorised, misleading, or infringing materials and to pursue available remedies where legally justified.

10. Privacy, Confidentiality, and Data Protection

We are committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of our community.

Participants, speakers, volunteers, organisers, and partners must respect applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) where relevant.

Participants must not:

Disclose private contact information without an appropriate legal basis.
Share confidential conversations, internal documents, or private communications without authorisation.
Use attendee registration information for unrelated commercial purposes without a lawful basis.
Publish sensitive personal information obtained through participation.
Access or attempt to access restricted event systems, registration data, or private community information without permission.
Share another individual's event access credentials or impersonate them to access restricted information.

Personal information accessed through a legitimate event role must be handled only for authorised purposes.

Volunteers, contractors, sponsors, and other individuals with access to registration systems, attendee databases, or internal event resources must comply with their specific access restrictions and any applicable confidentiality agreements.

Participants should also respect the confidentiality of conversations and information shared in closed workshops, private networking sessions, or restricted community discussions.

This Code of Conduct supplements, but does not replace, FemTechConf®'s Privacy Policy and applicable data processing agreements.

11. Professional Integrity and Responsible Representation

Everyone representing or participating in FemTechConf® activities is expected to act with professional integrity.

Participants must not:

Knowingly misrepresent their identity, qualifications, organisational affiliation, or authority.
Claim to represent FemTechConf® without authorisation.
Make misleading statements suggesting official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement.
Engage in fraudulent, deceptive, or deliberately misleading activity connected to our events.
Use event access to conduct unlawful activity.
Misuse credentials, passes, badges, or other access rights.
Distribute false or manipulated information intended to deceive participants about official FemTechConf® activities.

Constructive feedback, good-faith criticism, and the expression of personal opinions are permitted and welcomed.

This policy is not intended to prevent legitimate complaints, professional disagreement, independent commentary, or the reporting of concerns.

12. Event Access, Safety, and Venue Responsibilities

All participants must comply with applicable event access, venue, security, and safety requirements.

This includes:

Holding a valid ticket, invitation, accreditation, or other approved access authorisation.
Following reasonable instructions from authorised event staff and security personnel.
Respecting venue capacity restrictions and designated event areas.
Complying with applicable health, safety, and emergency procedures.
Using shared facilities and equipment responsibly.
Respecting accessibility arrangements and the needs of other participants.
Avoiding conduct that endangers themselves or others.

Access to restricted activities, such as VIP receptions, private networking sessions, or partner-hosted events, is limited to individuals holding the required authorisation.

An invitation to participate in one FemTechConf® activity does not automatically grant access to other restricted activities.

Organisers may verify registration details and identity where lawful and reasonably necessary.

13. Conflicts of Interest and Commercial Transparency

Participants must be transparent about relevant commercial relationships where disclosure is necessary to avoid misleading others.

Speakers, partners, and contributors should disclose relevant sponsorships, financial interests, or commercial relationships when they materially affect the independence or context of their contributions.

Participants must not present sponsored content as independent educational material where such presentation would mislead the audience.

Any paid promotional activity conducted through official FemTechConf® channels must comply with applicable disclosure and advertising requirements.

Speakers and contributors are encouraged to provide independent, balanced, and informative content that serves the interests of the audience.

14. Reporting Concerns and Violations

FemTechConf® encourages participants to report harassment, inappropriate behaviour, safety concerns, or suspected violations of this Code of Conduct.

Reports can be submitted to:

team@femtechconf.info

During physical events, concerns may also be raised directly with identifiable FemTechConf® organisers or authorised event staff.

Where possible, reports should include:

A description of the incident or concern.
The date, time, and relevant location or communication channel.
The individuals or organisations involved, where known.
Any relevant supporting information or documentation.
Whether immediate assistance or protective measures are required.

Participants are not required to confront the person involved before reporting a concern.

We aim to treat complaints seriously, fairly, sensitively, and with appropriate discretion.

Information will be shared only where reasonably necessary to assess the concern, protect participants, comply with legal obligations, or take appropriate action.

Absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in every circumstance, particularly where disclosure is legally required or necessary to investigate an allegation fairly.

15. Investigation, Enforcement, and Consequences

FemTechConf® reserves the right to assess reported or observed violations of this Code of Conduct and to take appropriate, proportionate action.

Depending on the nature and seriousness of the incident, possible measures include:

Informal clarification or a reminder of the relevant guidelines.
A formal warning or request to stop specific behaviour.
A request to correct, amend, or remove unauthorised or misleading content.
Restrictions on particular event activities, communication channels, or community privileges.
Removal from an event or activity, where permitted by applicable law and contractual terms.
Suspension or exclusion from future FemTechConf® events or initiatives.
Termination of a relevant participation or partnership arrangement, where contractually and legally justified.
Referral to venue security, law enforcement, or appropriate authorities where necessary.
Pursuit of available legal remedies in cases involving intellectual property infringement, unlawful commercial activity, confidentiality breaches, or other legally actionable conduct.

15.1 Proportionality and Fair Process

Where reasonably practicable and appropriate, FemTechConf® will consider:

The seriousness and nature of the alleged violation.
Whether the behaviour was intentional, negligent, or the result of a reasonable misunderstanding.
Any applicable written agreements, permissions, or guidelines.
The impact on affected individuals or the community.
Whether the individual has been given an opportunity to explain their position.
Whether corrective action has been taken.
Any previous relevant incidents.

Not every violation will result in immediate exclusion or legal action.

Where appropriate, we will seek to resolve concerns through clarification, communication, and corrective measures.

However, immediate protective action may be necessary in cases involving harassment, threats, serious safety concerns, or other urgent misconduct.

15.2 Content Removal and Commercial Misuse

Where FemTechConf® identifies content that may violate its branding, licensing, intellectual property, or commercial participation requirements, the organisation may request that the relevant individual or entity:

Clarify the nature of its relationship with FemTechConf®.
Correct misleading descriptions of participation or partnership.
Remove unauthorised branding or protected assets.
Stop unauthorised distribution or commercial use of protected materials.
Obtain an appropriate licence or written permission for any intended continued use.

The availability of further remedies will depend on applicable law, ownership rights, contractual arrangements, and the circumstances of the case.

15.3 Reconsideration

Individuals or organisations subject to significant restrictions or exclusion may contact FemTechConf® to request reconsideration and provide relevant information.

FemTechConf® will review such requests where appropriate, taking account of the circumstances, the safety of other participants, and applicable legal obligations.

16. Protection Against Retaliation

Retaliation against individuals who raise concerns, report suspected misconduct, or participate in an investigation in good faith is prohibited.

This includes threats, intimidation, harassment, exclusionary conduct, or other adverse treatment intended to discourage legitimate reporting.

Knowingly submitting false or malicious allegations may itself constitute a violation of this Code.

An allegation that cannot be substantiated does not, by itself, establish that a report was made in bad faith.

17. Responsibilities of Partners, Contractors, and Representatives

Sponsors, commercial partners, photographers, production teams, event contractors, volunteers, and other representatives must comply with this Code of Conduct and their applicable contractual obligations.

Organisations are responsible for communicating relevant conduct requirements to their participating personnel.

Additional written agreements may establish specific obligations relating to:

Brand licensing and promotional rights.
Commercial sponsorship and advertising.
Data processing and confidentiality.
Photography, video production, and content ownership.
Access to restricted event information or facilities.
Intellectual property and content distribution.
Recruitment activities and authorised community engagement.

Where additional agreements apply, the parties' contractual rights and obligations remain effective according to their terms and applicable law.

18. Policy Updates and Interpretation

FemTechConf® may revise this Code of Conduct to reflect changes in its events, community activities, operational requirements, and applicable legal standards.

Updated versions will be published on our official website with a revised date.

Material changes will apply prospectively unless otherwise validly agreed or permitted by applicable law.

This Code should be read alongside the relevant Speaker Guidelines, event terms and conditions, Privacy Policy, sponsorship agreements, and other applicable participation documents.

Nothing in this Code is intended to restrict rights that cannot lawfully be limited, including applicable intellectual property exceptions, data protection rights, lawful reporting, or other mandatory legal protections.

19. Our Shared Responsibility

FemTechConf® is more than an event organiser.

We are a global community built around the belief that greater representation, shared knowledge, and meaningful collaboration can create lasting change.

The strength of our community depends on the trust, integrity, professionalism, and contributions of everyone involved.

We welcome ambition, entrepreneurship, professional development, networking, and the creation of new opportunities.

At the same time, we believe that community participation should never come at the expense of others' safety, privacy, rights, or trust.

We ask every participant to respect the difference between contributing to a community and exploiting access to it.

By participating in FemTechConf® activities, everyone has a role in maintaining an environment that is inclusive, fair, safe, and valuable to all.

20. Contact Us

For questions about this Code of Conduct, commercial permissions, event participation, or the reporting of concerns, please contact:

FemTechConf® Team

Email: team@femtechconf.info

Website: https://femtechconf.com

We appreciate the commitment of everyone who helps us build a stronger, more inclusive technology community.