SallyDunbar
Mrs.Dunbar
GWNZ
Tuesday 11 March 2025
WAGGS, JWLI, BPW International and World Federation of World Peace International
Women and the environment, Women in power and decision-making, The girl child, Women and the economy, Human rights of women, Women and health
SDG3 – Good Health and Well-Being, SDG5 – Gender Equality
Bullying (2016), Harassment (2016), Young Members (2016), Workplace Harassment (2022), Post Pandemic Recovery for Women and Girls (2022)
The CSW69 Workshop: Shaping Tomorrow – Young Women Pioneering Change for Equality aligns closely with Graduate Women New Zealand (GWNZ) advocacy efforts, particularly in education, leadership development, gender equality, and economic empowerment for women and girls. GWNZ has long championed initiatives that remove barriers to education, promote gender equity in leadership, and support women in achieving financial independence—core themes explored in this session.
The workshop’s focus on mentorship, scholarships, and leadership training directly supports GWNZ’s commitment to fostering educational opportunities and career pathways for women. GWNZ’s scholarship programmes and advocacy for accessible, quality education reflect the session’s emphasis on breaking systemic barriers that limit young women’s participation in decision-making. The session’s discussion on age bias, digital harassment, and workplace challenges also ties into GWNZ’s broader efforts to address gender-based discrimination and advocate for policy changes that create safe, inclusive environments for women in leadership.
Furthermore, the session’s emphasis on intergenerational collaboration and mentorship aligns with GWNZ’s vision of supporting women at all stages of their educational and professional journeys. By promoting financial literacy, advocacy training, and leadership development, this workshop reinforced the importance of empowering young women with the tools to become change-makers, a key priority of GWNZ’s work in New Zealand and globally. The insights gained from this session can inform GWNZ’s ongoing advocacy efforts, strengthening its role in shaping policies and programmes that support the next generation of women leaders.
CSW69 Workshop Summary: Shaping Tomorrow – Young Women Pioneering Change for Equality
This CSW69 workshop highlighted the role of young women in driving gender equality and leadership. With the global youth population at 1.8 billion, discussions focused on breaking systemic barriers, increasing participation in decision-making, and fostering collaboration. The session addressed key challenges and opportunities to support young women in shaping a more inclusive future.
Key Challenges
Despite progress, young women face structural, cultural, and societal barriers that limit leadership opportunities:
• Confidence & Gender Stereotypes: Many young women struggle with self-doubt and fear of failure, reinforced by societal expectations.
• Limited Access to Decision-Making: Age bias and systemic exclusion prevent young women from participating in leadership.
• Funding & Resource Gaps: Many initiatives lack financial support, mentorship, and sustainability.
• Digital Harassment: Gender-based cyberattacks discredit young women’s voices and discourage advocacy.
• Balancing Advocacy & Careers: Engaging in activism can impact career progression due to gender biases.
• Cultural & Legal Barriers: Institutional restrictions and deep-rooted norms hinder young women’s advancement.
• Lack of Mentorship & Representation: Without relatable role models, young women struggle to envision leadership pathways.
Opportunities for Change
The workshop identified solutions to empower young women as leaders and change-makers:
• Scholarships & Financial Support: Expanding education, mentorship, and funding for leadership development.
• Confidence & Leadership Training: Public speaking, advocacy, and networking programmes to build skills.
• Safe Learning Spaces: Creating inclusive, non-hierarchical environments where women can fail, learn, and grow.
• Technology for Change: Digital platforms can break barriers and amplify voices.
• Policy & Systemic Reform: Strengthening laws, workplace policies, and cyber protections to support gender equality.
• Economic Empowerment: Training young women in financial literacy and leadership.
• Intergenerational Collaboration: Encouraging partnerships between young and senior leaders for shared learning.
Conclusion
This session reinforced that young women are not just the future—they are the present. By removing barriers and investing in leadership, we can create a more inclusive, empowered future.
{How can the session serve GWI members on local. national and/or international levels?:15}
Top 3 Achievable Goals for GWNZ & GWI
To create immediate impact and empower young women, GWNZ and GWI can focus on the following three key actions:
1. Expand Mentorship & Leadership Development
I developed a mentorship programme for GWNZ, which has been running since October 2024, providing young women with valuable connections, guidance, and leadership development. Building on this success, we can:
• Expand the mentorship programme to reach more participants, ensuring young women have access to experienced female leaders in academia, business, and advocacy.
• Enhance leadership training by incorporating advocacy workshops, digital safety education, and career development sessions to help young women build confidence and skills.
• Strengthen intergenerational collaboration by engaging senior women leaders as mentors, ensuring long-term career progression support for young women.
2. Strengthen Scholarships & Financial Support
• Increase funding for education grants, research opportunities, and leadership scholarships to ensure young women can access higher education and professional development.
• Develop small grants or seed funding to support young women’s initiatives, advocacy projects, and entrepreneurial ventures.
• Advocate for financial support programmes that promote economic independence and career advancement for young women.
3. Advocate for Gender-Inclusive Policies & Digital Safety
• Strengthen policies and provide training on protecting young women from online harassment and gender-based cyber threats, ensuring a safe and inclusive digital space for advocacy.
• Engage with governments and institutions to promote inclusive leadership policies that recognise advocacy and mentorship as leadership development.
• Support campaigns for gender-equitable decision-making spaces, ensuring young women have a seat at the table—not just on the agenda.
By prioritising these three achievable and scalable goals, GWNZ and GWI can drive real change, equipping young women with the mentorship, resources, and advocacy tools they need to lead today.
