Blog by Margaret Daly, SI Communications Manager 

On Monday 10 March 2025, Soroptimist International, Women in Leadership Organisation (WILO), and Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI) hosted a CSW69 virtual event focused on the transformative power of education for women and girls. As the world strives for gender equality by 2030, this session explored the historical barriers, current challenges, and future strategies needed to ensure equitable access to education and leadership opportunities for women worldwide. 

The State of Gender Equality and Leadership 

Dr. Teri Marcos, Executive Director of WILO, emphasised that according to the United Nations, at the current rate of progress, achieving gender equality could take up to 300 years. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for accelerated efforts in education, economic participation, and political representation. 

Sandra Aboagye, UN Representative for WFWPI, highlighted the persistent gender gap in leadership, noting that in 2016, only seven FTSE 100 companies employed female CEOs. While progress has been made, women still hold only 24% of management positions globally, with projections suggesting a slow increase to 28% by 2050. 

Education as the Key to Breaking Barriers 

Education is widely recognised as a fundamental driver of gender equality, yet significant obstacles remain.  

Barriers identified in academia include: 

• Work-life balance challenges, particularly for women juggling careers and caregiving responsibilities. 

• Difficulties in securing research funding and leadership roles. 

• Gender bias and occupational segregation, where women are often steered toward education and healthcare rather than STEM and leadership roles. 

• Lack of mentorship and networking opportunities. 

• Cultural norms discouraging women from seeking leadership positions. 

 

Addressing Gender Segregation and School Barriers in Africa 

Sandra Aboagye highlighted gender segregation in education across Africa, where boys are steered toward technical and vocational subjects more often than girls. She emphasised the need for policy changes to ensure equal opportunities for all students. Additionally, she pointed out that many schools lack adequate toilet facilities, and the shortage of sanitary products prevents girls from attending school during menstruation, ultimately contributing to higher dropout rates.  

 

The Role of Teachers, Parents, and Community Support 

A key theme emerging from WILO’s conference in Geneva was the importance of teacher self-awareness and the role of parents and communities in supporting gender equality.  

Additional priorities included: 

• Encouraging emotional and critical thinking skills. 

• Addressing biases and disparities in education. 

• Ensuring the education of women and girls is valued and respected in all societies. 

 

Overcoming Barriers: Success Stories and Strategies 

Through the various discussion points at the event, we heard inspirational stories of resilience, demonstrating how women have overcome significant barriers: 

Nancy, left her marriage with no alimony, no high school diploma, no job, and no support network, she relocated with her two children, facing challenges like a lack of childcare and housing. Entering a male-dominated industry, she built a successful business despite resistance from men who doubted her. She later documented her journey in a book, emphasising the importance of resilience to serve as a role model for her daughters. 

An African woman interested in STEM defied societal norms by sneaking into technical lessons while attending sewing classes. 

An Asian solicitor, working in a male-dominated sector, established her own law firm despite the challenges of being a single parent, solicitor and founder of her own business.  

Some participants expressed concerns that progress is stalling, with one noting, “The challenge is that misogyny and patriarchy seem to be pushing back, which is deeply concerning.” 

The Digital Divide and Artificial Intelligence (AI)’s Role in Education 

Berthe De Vos-Neven, SI Representative to the UN (Geneva), addressed the impact of AI and technology on women’s education. While AI presents opportunities to expand access to learning, concerns include: 

• Unsafe digital spaces for women and girls, leading to violence online. 

• Unaffordable connectivity. 

• Bias in AI-driven education tools reinforcing stereotypes. 

• The digital divide, especially in rural areas where internet access is limited. 

• The need for ethical AI frameworks to ensure inclusivity in hiring and decision-making. 

Recommendations included: 

• Integrating digital literacy programmes for all women and girls. 

• Development of innovative educational tools. 

• Promoting diverse representation in AI development. 

• Ensuring safe and inclusive digital learning environments. 

• Establishing policies and partnerships.  

Dr. Jennifer Preimesberger highlighted a compelling point about AI’s transformative role in society, particularly in shaping opportunities for women. She emphasised that AI can enhance women’s access to education and leadership, bridging educational gaps by offering diverse learning experiences. Citing Saudi Arabia as an example, she explained how AI has expanded access to higher education and professional training, demonstrating its potential to create new pathways for learning. While this progress offers hope for a more level playing field, significant challenges remain. 

 

The Reality of Globalisation on Women’s Education 

Dr. Patricia Traynor, Board Member WILO and Dr. Nilsa J. Thorsos, WILO member, discussed how globalisation is reshaping women’s access to education and leadership. While globalisation creates opportunities for financial independence and educational opportunities, it also presents challenges such as: 

• Exploitation in low-wage jobs and human trafficking. 

• Job insecurity and economic disparities. 

• Cultural biases that limit women’s advancement. 

 

Funding and Policy Changes: The Way Forward 

Funding remains a critical issue, with many women struggling to access resources for higher education and research.  

Examples shared in the discussion session included: 

• A Nigerian woman who saved for 16 years to afford an MSc in the UK, now paying school fees for another girl in need. 

• The lack of funding for DEI initiatives in the US, where certain gender-related terms are now restricted in grant applications. 

• Inadequate school infrastructure in Africa, where girls often drop out due to a lack of sanitary facilities. 

Policy recommendations included: 

• Investing in mentorship and leadership programs for women. 

• Ensuring equitable access to education and funding. 

• Engaging male allies to support women’s education. 

• Developing inclusive curriculums and professional networks to champion women’s leadership. 

 

Call to Action 

The discussion concluded with a focus on individual and collective action. Participants emphasized the importance of collaboration across education, business, and policy sectors to create lasting change. 

As Dr. Preimesberger stated, success lies in: 

• Creating supportive environments for women. 

• Building inclusive curricula. 

• Championing mentorship and networking to improve leadership opportunities. 

• Leveraging technology to bridge education gaps. 

• Sharing success stories to guide and inspire others.  

The event reinforced the urgent need for continued advocacy, investment, and policy changes to ensure that women and girls worldwide can access education, leadership, and opportunities to thrive. Together, we can unlock global potential and create a future where gender equality is a reality, not just an aspiration.