Today (8th March) is International Women's Day!

Globally, women lead in various ways. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, women have been at the forefront of the pandemic response and recovery. On International Women's Day 2021, we celebrate all women, particularly those leading the change in university and college education. 

From being University Chancellors to Presidents of Corporate bodies, women have proven to be capable of leading.

We interviewed education leaders to find out what leadership means to them and how COVID-19 has impacted their work, to tie in with this year's UN theme for International Women's Day. 

---

"Women require role models, and we need mentors"

Martha Muhwezi, Executive Director of the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) discusses female leadership with Jennifer Udeh, our Head of Programmes and Partnerships.

Read Martha's blog here

---

Build your tribe: Faith the CEO and women's rights Champion

Faith Kaoma, Founder of women’s rights charity Copper Rose, speaks to our Communications Manager Gemma about life at university and breaking into the workplace.

Read Faith's story

---

 Women can do anything

In this blog, African Diaspora Network's founder Almaz Negash shares her thoughts on leadership and provides tips for supporting young women in their leadership journey. 

Read Almaz's blog

---

Becoming: Aishwarya's journey to Leadership

Aishwarya Tiku shares her experiences growing up in Zambia and becoming a leader. She is the first female student of Black Minority Ethnic background appointed as the Vice President Education at the University of the West of Scotland.

Read Aishwarya's blog

---

Ama The Fabulous Woman

For International Women’s Day 2021, our Head of Programmes and Partnerships, Jennifer Udeh sits with Ama Duncan, Founder of The Fabulous Woman Network to discuss women in leadership.

Read Ama's story

---

We can be politicians too: Mary the Kenyan Woman

Mary Ojwang, founding member of the Women Students Mentorship Association (WOSWA), shares her experience in student leadership positions at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. 

Read Mary's blog

---

Researcher Zibah shares her leadership tips for young Women

In a chat with our Communications Manager Gemma Munday, Zibah Nwako shares her leadership tips for young women in universities and colleges.

Read Zibah's blog here

---

Female Leadership and Coffee with One Pusumane

One gets candid with us in a conversation with Gemma, about education for girls and female leadership in Africa.

Read One's Interview here

---

Interview with the first female University Chancellor in Zambia

From being the first female science teacher to the first female Chancellor of the University of Africa, Ruth Mubanga speaks to us on her leadership journey and women leadership.

Read Ruth's story here

---

More stories from inspiring women will be updated here as part of our project increasing female leaders in education.

Find out more about ESSA’s work using evidence to improve female leadership in education here.