As women rise, nations thrive

“Each of us, in whatever capacity we hold, must take action to dismantle barriers to equity,” argues Aga Khan University President Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin in an opinion piece. . Studies have shown that something as simple as including female role models in textbooks can increase young girls' likelihood of pursuing careers in historically male-dominated fields such as science, engineering, and mathematics. Institutions across all sectors must not only welcome women into diverse roles but actively create pathways for them to succeed. This principle is one AKU has embraced, where women are leading the way in research, education, healthcare, governance and more. AKU’s success is, in part, a testament to what becomes possible when women are empowered. “Women take on key local and global challenges, pioneer innovative techniques, and push the boundaries of excellence. They guide students, inspire youth, and build on the progress of previous generations. Expanding these efforts to underserved areas ensures that no woman or girl is left behind.”