• The ongoing global gender gap is costing the world economy trillions.
• Women continue to face systemic obstacles in education, employment, digital access and more.
• Youth-led initiatives can spearhead the action needed to bring gender equality.

On International Women’s Day, we are called to action – not just to celebrate the strength and potential of women, but to confront the systemic barriers that hinder their progress. Achieving gender equality is both a moral imperative and an economic necessity, with data showing that closing gender gaps could unlock trillions of dollars in global GDP. The time for incremental change is over; bold, youth-led initiatives are proving that innovative, community-driven solutions can accelerate progress toward a more inclusive and equitable future.

UN Women’s Gender Snapshot report highlights that failing to invest in gender equality costs the global economy trillions of dollars annually, with projections that closing these gaps could add up to $28 trillion by 2025. The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2024 estimates that, at the current pace, it will take 134 years to close the global gender gap across economic, educational, health and political dimensions.

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In many regions of the world, girls and women face systemic obstacles, from limited access to high-quality education and career guidance, to entrenched cultural norms and economic disparities. However, youth-led initiatives are lighting a path toward a more equitable future. Three inspiring projects – one that brings quality education directly to underserved communities in Dar es Salaam, another that provides career counseling in Islamabad, and a transformative programme empowering girls in Kenya through technology – offer powerful examples of how young people are driving impact.

The stark reality of gender inequality in developing countries

Gender gaps in upper-secondary education persist alongside inequalities in access to digital technology. According to UNESCO, 119.3 million girls are out of school today, down from 124.7 million in 2015.

In Tanzania, the World Bank reports that the percentage of girls completing lower secondary school – 38.2% in 2023 – is lower than the averages for both sub-Saharan Africa and lower-middle-income economies. Additionally, adult literacy rates in Tanzania are lower for women compared to men.

This gap limits women’s access to higher-skilled, better-paying jobs, leaving them over-represented in the informal economy, where wages and job security are significantly lower. The African Development Bank estimates that gender inequalities in education and employment cost Africa $95 billion annually in lost productivity. Its 2021-2025 strategy for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls aims to transform key sectors into inclusive spaces where individuals – regardless of gender or background – have equal access to and control over productive resources, as well as the necessary infrastructure and services to thrive.

In Islamabad, despite a network of over 1,380 schools, many students – particularly girls –lack effective career counselling. With only about 16% of adults achieving higher education qualifications and a mere 18% of women participating in formal employment, young women face significant barriers when entering the job market.

Niboreshe: bringing quality education to the doorstep

Globally, education models have demonstrated the power of community-driven learning approaches. Programmes like Pratham’s hybrid education model in India and Mexico’s telesecundaria system show that leveraging technology and mobile infrastructure can enhance educational access. Global Shapers Dar es Salaam Hub’s Niboreshe builds on these best practices, adapting them to the realities of the city.

Niboreshe – launched in collaboration with Girls First Initiative (GFI) a Tanzanian NGO dedicated to amplifying the voices of girls at risk of sexual harassment – introduces mobile learning centres equipped with educational materials, technology and trained educators to reach girls in informal settlements such as Vingunguti and Temeke. This approach ensures that education is not confined to traditional classrooms, but is delivered directly to the communities that need it most.

By integrating flexibility, community engagement and digital tools, Niboreshe helps bridge the educational gap, creating an inclusive future where every girl, regardless of geographical constraints, has the opportunity to succeed.

Technovation: empowering girls through technology in Kenya

Kenya faces significant disparities in STEM education for women compared to other regions. According to UNESCO, 35% of women globally are STEM graduates, but the Engineers Board of Kenya reports that as of December 2024, only 11% of the country’s registered engineers were women, with only 22% enrolled in STEM courses at universities.

To address this, the Global Shapers Nairobi Hub launched Technovation as a transformative 12-week initiative empowering girls in marginalized Kenyan communities to identify real challenges and develop mobile applications to address them. Between 2021-2024, the initiative has impacted over 174 girls across four marginalized communities, starting with 17 girls per cohort and scaling to 55 in the current group – despite limited funding.

The programme's impact is evident in initiatives like End Cut, a mobile application developed by girls in Samburu, northern Kenya, to combat female genital mutilation (FGM) and early marriage. The app educates the community on the dangers of FGM, while providing women access to global markets to sell their beaded jewelry, fostering economic empowerment.

Technovation is helping bridge the digital divide by equipping young girls with both technical and entrepreneurial skills that have long-term benefits. Increasing women’s access to digital skills and STEM careers could contribute an additional $5 trillion to the global economy, according to UNESCO.

Career counselling for all: bridging the awareness gap in Islamabad

In Islamabad, many students, especially girls, lack structured career counselling, limiting their ability to explore job opportunities beyond traditional roles. The Career Counseling for All (CC4All) initiative was launched by the Global Shapers Islamabad Hub to address this challenge. The programme provides career awareness and professional development opportunities to young people, equipping them with essential guidance and skills to navigate an evolving job market.

CC4All offers in-person workshops in partnership with local organizations and educational institutions, introducing students to diverse career paths, from technology and public policy to entrepreneurship and creative industries. One of the programme’s most impactful sessions included an aeromodelling demonstration, designed to challenge gender stereotypes by showing young girls first hand the exciting possibilities in science and engineering. The initiative also incorporates soft skills training, including creative writing, graphic design and digital marketing, ensuring students develop the competencies required to succeed in today’s workforce.

By providing career awareness and skill-building workshops, CC4All is helping bridge the gap between education and employment, ensuring that young women are better prepared to seize formal employment opportunities and shape their own futures.

The need for systemic change

While initiatives like Niboreshe, Technovation and CC4All make significant strides, their successes also underscore the broader systemic issues perpetuating gender inequality.

Addressing these challenges requires increased investment in mobile and community-based learning models, integrating career counselling into public education, and cultural shifts redefining gender roles in society. Youth-led initiatives are crucial in this transformation, proving that when young people have the right tools, they become architects of sustainable change.

Investment in youth-led platforms should be recognized as critical to building resilient, inclusive communities. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we must champion and support innovative solutions that empower young women to lead, learn and thrive.