As women rise, nations thrive

Across the world, we have seen extraordinary achievements by women. They lead nations, drive scientific breakthroughs and transform communities. Yet, for millions of women and girls, barriers remain.

In South Asia, nearly half of young women are neither in education, employment or training. In East Africa, gender gaps in education persist, keeping many young girls from reaching their full potential. We cannot afford to wait.

Education remains the single most powerful tool for empowerment. When girls have access to high-quality education, they grow into women who strengthen societies -- economically, politically, and socially. For example, women who have a secondary education earn more, are more likely to work, are more likely to be able to make decisions within their household and are less likely to be the victims of domestic violence. Their children are also more likely to survive childhood, be healthy and attend school. According to Unesco, the economic and social costs associated with limited schooling and limited learning for girls are immense, amounting to trillions of dollars each year.

Today, we are already seeing a shift: in many universities, women make up over half the student body. But ensuring equal access goes beyond education alone. It means providing a fair chance to succeed in life -- starting from childhood. This includes proper nutrition, access to healthcare, and safe spaces to learn and play. It also means rethinking workplace structures to accommodate the multifaceted roles women and men balance across their personal and professional lives.

In their many roles -- whether as parents, mentors, educators, or colleagues -- both men and women share the responsibility of fostering gender equity within their circles of influence. This work begins at home, where parents shape the perspectives of the next generation, and extends into workplaces and institutions, where leaders can champion inclusion and fairness.

True gender equality means ensuring that all voices are heard. When women hold decision-making roles, they challenge outdated biases and create new opportunities for others. Their presence in leadership inspires young women to pursue their ambitions and reinforces the idea that gender should never be a barrier to success. When women serve as mentors for the next generation, they pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable society. When boys grow up seeing their mothers, sisters, and female peers as equals in potential and ability, they carry that experience into adulthood -- reshaping workplaces and expectations.

This International Women’s Day served to reflect on the progress made towards gender equality -- and the work that still lies ahead. This year’s theme was a call to action, urging us to move beyond conversation and towards meaningful action.

Each of us, in whatever capacity we hold, must take action to dismantle barriers to equity. That begins with understanding both the overt obstacles and the subtle hindrances to progress that exist. Studies have shown that something as simple as including female role models in textbooks can increase young girls' likelihood of pursuing careers in historically male-dominated fields such as science, engineering, and mathematics.

Institutions across all sectors must not only welcome women into diverse roles but actively create pathways for them to succeed. This principle is one we have embraced at AKU, where women are leading the way in research, education, healthcare, governance and more. AKU’s success is, in part, a testament to what becomes possible when women are empowered.

Women take on key local and global challenges, pioneer innovative techniques, and push the boundaries of excellence. They guide students, inspire youth, and build on the progress of previous generations. Expanding these efforts to underserved areas ensures that no woman or girl is left behind.

Change does not happen overnight. It is up to all of us -- leaders, institutions and individuals -- to make the vision expressed on International Women’s Day a reality. Let us commit to a future where rights, equality and empowerment are not just a slogan but a reality for women everywhere.

The writer is the president of the Aga Khan University.