In this insightful guest post, Nicky Newfield delves into the crucial role of women in shaping global solutions and highlights inspiring examples of female leaders and innovators who are making a tangible impact in their respective fields. Newfield is the founder of Impact Nation, a platform connecting impact-focused entrepreneurs with mission-aligned partners. Below, Nicky identifies key reasons why women must be involved in developing, producing, and implementing solutions to urgent global challenges and why, without women, they would be unsuccessful.
Leveraging Women’s Perspectives for Global Solutions
Women possess a unique perspective that can significantly contribute to solving global issues across various domains, ranging from social and economic to environmental challenges. Harnessing this potential requires recognizing and empowering women to participate actively in decision-making processes at all levels.
With diverse perspectives, women bring viewpoints shaped by their experiences, backgrounds, and societal roles. By actively involving women in discussions and decision-making processes, a broader spectrum of perspectives is considered, leading to more comprehensive and effective solutions. For instance, in policymaking, women may prioritize issues like healthcare, education, and social welfare, which are crucial for sustainable development and societal well-being.
Empowering Women as Leaders and Innovators
Women who want to and choose to lead need to ensure they receive the correct training and acquire the right skill set to lead with strength. My belief is that women should not try to be men. Women should bring along their powerful and unique feminine energy and use their wisdom to lead with a heart and to make ruthless decisions but execute them gently.
Creating spaces to empower women innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs is crucial in solving global issues. Bringing in those diverse perspectives and recognizing their contributions are essential to achieving sustainable development and a more equitable and prosperous world.
Women in these positions contribute tremendously to economic growth and innovation by introducing new products, services, and business models that address unmet needs and societal challenges. Not only having the power to solve these challenges but supporting these women fosters greater economic empowerment, job creation, and social inclusion that supports everyone.
Increasing the representation of women in leadership roles is essential for ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes. Women leaders can champion policies and initiatives that address gender disparities, promote equality, and advance sustainable development goals. Moreover, by serving as role models, women in leadership inspire the next generation of female leaders and change-makers.
Women’s Role in Health, Well-being, and Environmental Sustainability
Women are often primary caregivers and advocates for family health and well-being. Investing in women’s health services, reproductive rights, and maternal care improves individual outcomes and contributes to broader public health goals. Furthermore, empowering women to make informed decisions about their health and access to healthcare services enhances resilience to health crises and reduces disparities in health outcomes.
Examples of women leading the change in women’s health include Michal Lebenthal Andreson and Michal Shalem, co-founders of Impact.51, a women’s health startup studio striving for systemic change in women’s health through needs-matched innovation, and Dr. Inbal Zafir-Lavie, CEO and co-founder of Nevia Bio, a company harnessing science and technology to develop early detection tests to rewrite the story of women’s health.
Women are also disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and climate change, yet they possess valuable knowledge and skills for sustainable resource management and conservation. Engaging women in environmental protection efforts, including conservation projects, renewable energy initiatives, and climate adaptation strategies, fosters resilience and enhances the sustainability of communities and ecosystems.
Debra Kreis, Head of Partnerships at PLANETech, whose primary goal is to advance climate solutions to tackle urgent climate issues, is leading the charge in highlighting the need for increased climate funding, expertise, implementation, and supportive policies.
Where Would We Be Without Women?
Without women leading the charge on these issues, it’s unlikely we’d ever find lasting solutions. Women’s unique perspectives and insights are crucial, and any exclusion from decision-making not only perpetuates gender disparities but also hampers progress.
Their presence isn’t just important for them—it’s vital for humanity. By empowering women in leadership, we tap into new solutions and build a more resilient and equitable world for all.
About Today’s Writer, Nicky Newfield
Nicky Newfield is the founder of Impact Nation, a platform connecting impact-focused entrepreneurs with mission-aligned partners. Nicky is also a dedicated mother to 3 kids and an angel investor and founder of Arc Impact. At Arc Impact, Nicky has invested in 28 companies across Food Tech, Climate Tech, Health Tech, and EdTech, managing accelerator programs for SDG-focused startups.
With almost 20 years of experience as a physiotherapist and a background in global education tech, she established women’s health practices in rural Africa and helped build and implement educational technology products across 7 continents. A master networker, she organizes international events with top-tier companies like Google and Microsoft. As an international speaker, Nicky inspires innovation and systemic change. Through Impact Nation, she continues to exercise her extensive skill set and incredible expertise to provide a platform connecting anyone, anywhere, with entrepreneurs driving positive global impact.