Today’s spotlight highlights Global Gender Leadership, profiling a transformative stateswoman, a reform-driven global institution, and a young African tech innovator. Together, they reflect “Give to Gain”: investing in women as drivers of economic growth and social change.
🔹 WOMAN OF IMPACT: Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
“Equality for women is progress for all.”
For former Deputy President of South Africa and former UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, gender equality is not aspirational — it is foundational to development. Throughout her leadership, she has pushed governments and institutions to treat women’s empowerment as economic strategy, not charity.
At UN Women, she championed equal pay, political inclusion, and increased financing for gender-responsive policies. Her tenure strengthened global accountability for women’s rights and mobilized investments that expanded opportunity for millions.
Her career reflects the essence of Give to Gain: by giving political will, global advocacy, and institutional reform, she helped nations unlock measurable social and economic progress. Her leadership proves that when women rise, societies advance.
🔹 ORGANISATION OF IMPACT: UN Women
“Equality between women and men is not only a basic human right, but its achievement has enormous socio-economic implications.”
This guiding principle defines the mission of UN Women. As the United Nations agency dedicated to gender equality, it transforms global commitments into action, supporting laws, funding grassroots movements, and expanding women’s economic participation across Africa.
Through targeted programs tackling violence against women, political exclusion, and financial inequality, the organisation channels international resources into lasting structural change. Its investments strengthen institutions while empowering women at community level.
Aligned with Give to Gain, UN Women demonstrates that when governments and partners give deliberate funding, policy attention, and leadership to gender equality, societies gain stronger economies, safer communities, and more inclusive governance systems.
🔹 YOUNG WOMAN OF IMPACT: Odunayo Eweniyi
“It’s your space and your industry too.”
With these words, Odunayo Eweniyi continues to challenge barriers facing women in technology and finance. As co-founder of PiggyVest, she has helped democratize savings and investment tools for thousands of Nigerians, including women-led small businesses.
By building digital financial platforms that simplify wealth creation, she is addressing one of the most significant gaps limiting women entrepreneurs: access to structured finance. Her innovation gives women tools to gain independence, scale enterprises, and secure long-term stability.
Her work embodies Give to Gain: by giving women access to financial infrastructure and confidence to enter male-dominated sectors, she is helping them generate economic power that strengthens families and communities alike.
