On March 5, 2026, SDSN Youth hosted a global virtual dialogue in recognition of International Women’s Day titled “Women’s Leadership for a Just and Sustainable Future.” The event brought together emerging and established leaders working across climate action, sustainable development, and policy to reflect on progress toward gender equality and the challenges that still remain. Held under the global theme by the United Nations, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” the dialogue created a space for intergenerational exchange on how women’s leadership is shaping sustainable development efforts around the world. Panelists shared perspectives from their diverse professional and regional experiences, emphasizing that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires meaningful participation of women in leadership and decision-making spaces.
Opening the discussion, moderator Gabrielle Erawoc welcomed participants from around the world and highlighted the importance of the moment. While progress toward gender equality has been made, structural barriers continue to limit women’s leadership, particularly in climate and development sectors. At the same time, women across generations are driving transformative change, from grassroots initiatives to global policy platforms, demonstrating that inclusive leadership is essential for building more sustainable and equitable societies.
Women’s Leadership and the SDGs
The dialogue began by exploring what women’s leadership in climate and sustainable development looks like today and why it is essential for achieving the SDGs. Rumbi Muyambo, Content and Training Project Officer at SDSN Youth’s Local Pathways Fellowship, emphasized that leadership exists across a spectrum and that gender equality must be understood through an intersectional lens. She emphasized the importance of raising women’s voices while also supporting others within communities to step into leadership roles.
Mary Ojwang, Chairperson of the Women Students Mentorship Association (WOSWA), reinforced the importance of institutional support and resources for women-led initiatives. Stronger investment in women’s leadership, she noted, can help translate representation into meaningful and lasting impact.
Together, their perspectives shared a theme: inclusive leadership is fundamental.
Progress and Remaining Gaps
Panelists also reflected on areas where progress toward gender equality has been made and where critical gaps remain. Nicole Zapata, Purpose and Impact Manager at Fundación Futuro, shared insights from her work in Ecuador, where women in rural communities often face barriers to leadership due to limited access to education and resources. These challenges can restrict opportunities for women to participate fully in decision-making spaces.
At the same time, Rumbi Muyambo amplified the importance of recognizing incremental progress. While structural inequalities persist, “Celebrating advances in political and social participation can help sustain momentum and encourage continued advocacy for gender equality.”
Challenges Facing Emerging Women Leaders
The conversation also focused on the barriers young women encounter when entering climate and development spaces. Jess Stone, Regional Focal Point for Asia-Pacific at SDSN Youth, noted that institutional norms can sometimes undervalue diverse forms of expertise. “Women have historically taken on unpaid labor, for example, community work...yet that is not recognized as traditional and professional. That should be valued in higher spaces.” Knowledge systems such as Indigenous or community-based experience are not always recognized within, “Traditional professional pathways,” creating obstacles for many emerging leaders.
Nicole Zapata added that credibility remains a common challenge for young women entering leadership roles. She emphasized that institutions can address this by creating clearer pathways to leadership, including mentorship networks and opportunities for young professionals to participate meaningfully in decision-making.
Mary Ojwang further highlighted the importance of addressing workplace norms that often assign disproportionate care or administrative responsibilities to women, which can limit opportunities for leadership advancement.
Intergenerational Mentorship as a Pathway to Leadership
Mentorship emerged as a key theme throughout the dialogue. Panelists emphasized that both formal and informal mentorship can play a critical role in supporting women’s leadership journeys. Nicole Zapata highlighted that mentorship often occurs in informal settings through intentional spaces where women can share experiences, advice, and support.
Jess Stone encouraged leaders to actively create opportunities for other women, noting the importance of inviting women to decision-making tables and expanding access to scholarships, mentorship programs, and leadership initiatives. These insights highlighted the transformative potential of mentorship when it is used to open doors and expand networks.
The Role of Allies and Institutions
Beyond mentorship, panelists emphasized that advancing gender equality requires collective action from institutions, allies, and networks. Mary Ojwang noted that organizations can support women’s leadership by providing resources, funding, and research that strengthens women-led initiatives. Institutional commitment is essential for dismantling structural barriers and ensuring long-term change. Jess Stone also highlighted the importance of reshaping the narrative around women’s leadership and ensuring that conversations about equality translate into meaningful support and protection for women leaders.
Youth Voices and the Future of Gender Equality
During the event, SDSN Youth also announced an initiative launched in partnership with the Ford Foundation: “A Youth Vision for the World’s Future.” The project will gather youth perspectives through regional consultations focused on gender equality, climate change, and the future of work. These consultations aim to elevate youth voices and ensure their recommendations are included in global policy discussions through a recommendations brief shared with decision-makers. By connecting youth perspectives with policy processes, the initiative reflects SDSN Youth’s commitment to strengthening youth participation in shaping sustainable development strategies.
Key Takeaways
The International Women’s Day dialogue highlighted several key themes for advancing gender equality in sustainable development:
Ultimately, the conversation reinforced that leadership is about influence, opportunity, and impact. When women are supported and empowered to lead, they bring perspectives and solutions that strengthen communities and accelerate progress toward a more just and sustainable future.
If you missed the dialogue or would like to revisit the discussion, we invite you to watch the recording. For collaboration opportunities with SDSN Youth, please contact youth@unsdsn.org.