With women being the driving force behind the global economy, World Woman Foundation’s launch of the Mentoring One Million Women by 2030 platform is a significant step to empower ordinary women to do extraordinary things. With a little support, they will more easily find their purpose, maximize their potential, and build stronger communities. Each of us has a role to play.
Women own Thirty-seven percent of all businesses and enterprises worldwide, and nearly one billion women are poised to join the global workforce. McKinsey Global Institute estimates that if women around the world were fully engaged in the workforce, as much as 28 trillion U.S. dollars would be added to the global economy by 2030. It’s clear that what were once considered “women’s issues” are fundamental economic imperatives. What’s equally clear is that women are integral in helping countries that face humanitarian crises and unrest rebuild and move forward. From participating in peace talks to advancing stability through their businesses and economic development, women help drive progress.
We know that if women don’t reach a critical threshold in their career early enough, they either stop reaching out for support, or their organizations stop extending it. This presents a double opportunity—for women and the organizations for which they work—as well as for their families. We need women to be more deliberate in seeking and establishing relationships with mentors and influencers. Such connections provide intentional opportunities to elevate knowledge transfer while keeping mentors in touch with organizations’ “front lines,” which they might otherwise be distanced from.
Giving our time and expertise to mentor women can reap exponential benefits. It is my hope that this platform will encourage women to foster and nurture the talents of other women, and break the barriers faced by women today so that they don’t exist for our next generation.
We are committed to creating a meaningful network of women and men leaders that gains momentum as support and encouragement are shared across time zones. In our interconnected world, I am certain the Mentoring One Million Women by 2030 movement will provide valuable perspective and solid mentoring that enable women to discover their power and purpose.
And having genuine male mentors, allies in our network, help us solve a billion human resources problem with the meaningful partnership, respect, and trust. We are thrilled to have the support of extraordinary women and men leaders come together inspiring women to create a paradigm shift in addressing gender equality.
Today, we know that women are leading economic and social change. Let’s give them the opportunities and tools to do even more, and to create a long-lasting impact that is both measurable and meaningful.
