n today’s evolving global economy, an increasing role for women in financial markets is not just a matter of social equity but also a powerful driver of economic growth and systemic transformation. As financial markets continue to evolve, so must approaches to inclusion, diversity and the integration of women into key economic decision-making. Global markets can no longer afford to ignore women.

Research by McKinsey Global Institute highlights that if women participated in the global economy at the same rate as men, global GDP could rise by an astounding $28 trillion by the end of 2025. This economic uplift would benefit not just women, but the entire global community—boosting economies, enhancing social stability and improving living standards for all. Despite the progress made, women remain significantly under-represented in the global economy. Their full potential in financial markets is yet to be realised.

The gap is narrowing as more women gain control of their finances and engage in investing. According to the Boston Consulting Group’s report, Managing the Next Decade of Women’s Wealth, while younger generations have historically led market participation, it is Gen X and Boomer women who are now seeing the greatest gains. Investment participation among these groups has increased by 18 percent for Gen X and 23 percent for Boomers.

Women currently control 32 percent of global wealth. The figure is expected to rise significantly over the next decade. From 2016 to 2019, women amassed wealth at a compound annual growth rate of 6.1 percent. This rate is projected to accelerate to 7.2 percent in the coming years. According to BCG’s analysis, women contribute an estimated $5 trillion annually to the global wealth pool. This growth highlights that women’s financial empowerment is not just an issue of fairness—it is an economic strategy as well.

A primary motivator behind women’s increasing engagement in financial markets is the desire to build generational wealth. Seventy-one percent of women believe that investing is a means of creating lasting wealth for their families. For many, investing isn’t just about personal security—it’s also about transforming the future for their children and grandchildren.

Women cite various reasons for investing: securing their children’s quality of life, maximising earning potential, affording retirement and meeting life goals such as homeownership and education. Millennial women are particularly focused on generational wealth-building. Gen X and Boomer women prioritise securing financial independence. These shifts reflect a broad, long-term perspective taking root among women investors.

Despite this progress, women continue to face barriers that hinder their economic progress. More than half of women surveyed report that financial stress keeps them awake at night at least once a month, with anxiety particularly high among Gen Z (72 percent) and Millennial (68 percent) women. This underscores the emotional toll of financial insecurity.

Addressing these challenges requires more than promoting financial literacy. True empowerment means addressing systemic gaps and stressors, ensuring that women not only have access to investment platforms but also work within financial systems designed to support and sustain their participation.

The financial sector’s transformation must be inclusive to be effective. Women’s inclusion is not about mere representation—it’s about reshaping the very structure of global markets. For too long, these markets have been defined by cultures and policies conducive to men’s success. Today, women are rewriting the script, influencing investment strategies, designing inclusive financial products and leading innovations rooted in equity.

The outcomes of the 2025 UN Commission on the Status of Women call on world leaders to commit to more inclusive economic policies and responsive financial systems, urging a shift from rhetoric to action.

From sustainable finance to digital inclusion, women are redefining leadership in the financial world. Yet, this progress requires institutional support. Financial systems must move beyond token representation and embrace structural reform—offering resources, mentorship, access to capital and policy changes that enable women to thrive at all levels of the market.

Structural barriers in the Global South

The conversation around women’s financial empowerment cannot be complete without addressing the systemic barriers women face, particularly in the Global South. In countries like Pakistan, where economic and cultural hierarchies intersect, women often find themselves excluded from meaningful financial participation.

In Pakistan, women face deep-rooted challenges, such as limited access to education, discriminatory inheritance and property laws, and restrictive social norms. These barriers are even more severe for rural women, who experience compounded marginalisation due to class, geography and gender. While microfinance initiatives have introduced many women to financial systems, they often fail to address institutional inequalities that prevent women from scaling their ventures or accessing larger capital markets.

In a society where financial dependency is reinforced by legal and cultural norms, women’s autonomy remains contested. For instance, land ownership laws disadvantage women. Even when legal rights exist, patriarchal enforcement often undermines their effectiveness. While entrepreneurship offers a path forward for some women, progress remains uneven without state-backed systems of support, implementation and protection.

Superficial victories—such as token political appointments or donor-driven projects—cannot substitute for the substantive reforms necessary to disrupt systemic exclusion. Real change demands sustained political will, responsive policy investment and cross-sector collaboration to tackle the roots of inequality.

Claiming space in power corridors

To effect lasting change, women must be at the decision-making table—drafting policy, leading financial institutions, and setting global economic agendas. Simply participating in financial systems is no longer enough; women must be instrumental in shaping them.

Financial institutions, governments and corporations must prioritise pathways for women to access, influence and lead within financial systems. This goes beyond representation—it requires transforming systems to centre the experiences and leadership of women.

Global markets can no longer afford to ignore a half of the world’s population whose leadership and participation are central to our shared economic future. The opportunity is not only moral; it is transformational.

The rise of women in financial systems is not merely a hopeful trend—it represents a paradigm shift. This momentum will falter without inclusive, supportive structures to sustain it. In countries like Pakistan, where barriers are especially severe, the stakes are even higher. Solutions must be systemic, intersectional and grounded in the realities women face across different contexts.

The outcomes of the 2025 UN Commission on the Status of Women call on world leaders to commit to more inclusive economic policies and responsive financial systems, urging a shift from rhetoric to action. Global markets must rise to this challenge—not only to include women, but also to be transformed by their leadership.

The question is no longer whether women belong in financial markets; the question is whether current systems are prepared to centre them.

The writer is an adjunct professor of political science at Brevard College, a political economist, and a UN NGO ECOSOC representative. Her work bridges academic research, policy advocacy, and global initiatives, with a focus on stakeholder-driven development solutions. As a contributing columnist for international publications, she writes on the intersections of political economy and global transformation.