Wedu began a decade ago with a powerful vision: a world where half of all leaders are women. From our humble beginnings, we embarked on a mission to pave the way to closing the gender gap in leadership. From our first 5 Rising Stars* to now over 1500 strong, Wedu's community continues to grow, impact, and inspire. Along the way, we have learned several valuable lessons.

We need allies

Our first lesson is that creating a fairer world where all individuals are valued and thrive will require a concerted shift in the structures that keep certain groups, like women, disempowered. To create this shift, we need allies to stand with us and push for the change needed to build a fairer world.  So many challenges that women face are integrated and intersectional. There is no one profile for a woman leader, and there are a multitude of contexts that can either enable or hinder women from having a seat at the table. The push for gender parity is a push for a fairer world - one that is rooted in care, solidarity and trust.

Women leaders should be celebrated

The women in the Wedu community are ambitious and resourceful. No matter where they are in their leadership journeys - whether straight after university or during a career change - women find innovative ways to reach for their dreams. The women who apply to our leadership courses, mentorship programmes and education fund are deeply dedicated to growing in both their personal pursuits and professional roles. We have seen that there is no lack of motivation but rather a lack of opportunities given to women due to socio-cultural assumptions and because of disempowering patriarchal values - not to mention economic barriers that women face at large. While we work on deconstructing unequal systems, it is also vital that women in leadership roles are visible, celebrated and encouraged - changing prejudices and inspiring others. 

During our inaugural Women's Leadership Awards , we received over 70 nominations of women who embody the four core values at Wedu. These core values are what we envision will build a feminist future—where women leaders are not only plentiful but also thriving.

 

#1 We take purposeful action: We embrace a profound sense of responsibility to be a force of change. We are passionate about (un)learning, and we celebrate reflective practice.

#2 We build collective power: We believe power is multiplied when shared. Our work is rooted in solidarity, care, and reciprocity. We centre structurally excluded women and call in diverse allies.

#3 We show up with courage: Because our vision requires boldness, we cultivate resilience and transformational presence.

#4 We lead by example: We strive to model the feminist future we’re co-creating, even if we don’t get it right 100% of the time.

We need more spaces that normalise women's leadership

While the Women's Leadership Awards celebrated the women who embody these powerful values, we also learned that opportunities for women to claim their strengths are few and far between. From this, it is evident that normalising women's leadership will require more spaces where women are recognised and valued and more allies who support women in changing damaging norms.

Aside from celebrating the work and passions of the Women's Leadership Awards winners , this event also celebrated the supportive community of women and allies that Wedu has brought together over the past decade. We have been blessed with active mentors, programme participants, and Rising Stars* who keep the community alive. Out of the 76 nominations received, a jury of 12 highly skilled professionals reviewed and selected the 37 finalists and our four winners. Wedu’s network, like the Women's Leadership Awards Jury, alongside our many mentors who offer their time and energies to their mentees, aid us in amplifying our work towards bridging the gender leadership gap. 

Investing in community means investing in women

In my three years working with Wedu, I have noticed first-hand how powerful community building is. Through this shared space of mutual and lifelong support, women can continuously invest in their development, knowing where to find opportunities and actions in ways that follow their own needs. Community spaces help foster confidence, independence, and trust, building the dream capital of women and sending out ripples of change in the extended networks of Wedu’s women leaders. 

As we look ahead, we carry this momentum forward. Each woman’s success story fuels our collective dream of a world where women lead with strength and purpose. Together, we are not just envisioning a more equitable future; we are actively crafting it. We are cultivating a movement where every woman knows she is not alone, where every ally stands beside her, and where the inclusivity and strength of diverse voices define leadership beyond just formal structures.

Let us continue to lift each other, champion one another's journeys, and relentlessly pursue a future where women thrive in leadership roles. The path may be challenging, but we will rise, inspire, and create lasting change together. The future is bright, and it is ours to shape.

Follow Wedu on Instagram and Facebook , or sign up for our newsletter to see the stories of our four Women's Leadership Awards winners in our upcoming feature videos. 

This reflection piece was written by Juliana Shrestha , Wedu's Community Engagement Coordinator

*Rising Star refers to women who have participated in Wedu’s extensive Leadership Training Courses and are active ambassadors of Wedu.