Women Are Leading The Change - And How You Can Too

Something powerful is unfolding—not just globally, but right here in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Women are not just participating in progress; they’re leading it. Women are entering boardrooms, research labs, classrooms, and creative industries, often in spaces not intended for them, and they are revolutionising the landscape.

Across the region, women are transforming leadership into something more inclusive, more resilient, and more human. These achievements go far beyond personal milestones—they’re reshaping what success looks like and how systems operate.

This movement isn’t just inspiring. It’s necessary.

We believe that every woman, no matter her background or starting point, can lead change. You don’t need a title. You don’t need permission. You just need to begin. Because real leadership doesn’t start with a job offer—it starts with a decision: to show up, speak out, and step forward.

Here in the UAE, progress is tangible. Women hold half of the seats in the Federal National Council and lead major national portfolios in youth development, sustainability, technology, and community. It isn’t tokenism—it’s transformation.

Leaders like Reem Al Hashimy and Sarah Al Amiri aren’t just breaking barriers—they’re redefining what leadership even means. But progress isn’t about a few headlines. It’s about momentum, and that momentum kicks off with the little things we do every day.

On a global or local level, women continue to face numerous obstacles such as gender stereotypes, a lack of mentors, and subtle unconscious bias. These challenges are holding all of us back. The World Economic Forum warns that if we continue at this pace, it will take over 150 years to close the gender gap in economic participation. We don’t have that kind of time.

This is why Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) is more than just a checkbox—it’s a call to action. Gender equality isn't a favour for women. It’s a foundation for sustainable, inclusive progress. When women lead, the benefits ripple outward: economies grow, communities thrive, and innovation skyrockets.

And let’s talk about how women lead—because it’s not just about what they do, it’s how they do it.

Women leaders often prefer cooperation over competition. They lead with empathy, listen with intent, and make decisions that reflect long-term thinking. People often dismiss these qualities as "soft skills," but in today's world, they are essential survival skills.

Resilience fuels perseverance. Empathy builds trust. Vision leads to bold, inclusive solutions. Women lead in ways that aren’t always loud, but they are deeply impactful.

And if you’re thinking, “Well, I’m not in a leadership position,” here’s the truth: you don’t need a job title to lead. Leadership isn’t about hierarchy—it’s about influence. It’s about showing up in your space, whatever that may be, and taking action. That could mean mentoring a colleague, starting a community initiative, speaking up in a meeting, or simply advocating for what’s right.

Power? It starts with small steps.

Use your voice. Say the thing that needs to be said. Raise your hand. Apply for the opportunity that scares you a little. Launch the idea you’ve been sitting on. You don’t need to be perfect to begin—you just need to begin.

Build your circle. Surround yourself with people who challenge, uplift, and inspire you. And just as importantly, be that person for someone else. Leadership is a team sport. We grow faster when we are together.

Step into discomfort. That’s where growth lives. You won’t always feel ready, but courage doesn’t wait for confidence. Courage often comes first. It looks like trying even when success isn’t guaranteed. It looks like saying “yes” to yourself when the world is telling you to wait.

Look around. Women across every sector—science, education, policy, entrepreneurship, and the arts—are making waves. Institutions support some of them. Others are self-made. While some receive recognition, many do not. But all of them are showing us that change doesn’t always need a spotlight to be real.

It isn’t just about representation. It’s about transformation. It’s about rebuilding systems to work for more people, not fewer. It’s about reshaping leadership to include the perspectives and power of those who’ve been excluded for too long.

And if you’ve ever doubted your ability to be part of that change, hear this: we don’t need a few flawless leaders—we need millions of real ones. We need women who are willing to lead, even when the path is messy. This is particularly true when the path is chaotic.

The present is your moment.

No more waiting. No more playing small. Say the thing. Start the project. Write the pitch. Ask the question. Mentor the next leader. Take up space.

We don’t just inherit the future—we build it.

Together.

// Sustainable Narrative