Women’s empowerment in the workforce is a critical component of sustainable development, economic growth, and social justice. Yet, despite progress in many areas, women particularly young women continue to face systemic barriers that hinder their full participation in decent work and leadership roles. To truly realize the vision of SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth we must shift the narrative from mere inclusion to genuine influence, from token representation to shared leadership. This entails elevating the voices of young women from grassroots communities to global platforms, recognizing their unique insights, and investing in solutions they co-create.
Women need networks, support systems, and collective action to thrive in decent work and leadership positions. Historically, in spaces where decisions are made be it international forums, policy tables, or corporate boardrooms the voices of young women, especially from the Global South, have been conspicuously absent or marginalized. I speak not just as an observer but as someone who has actively co-led, moderated, and spoken at global dialogues on Decent Work, Sustainable Economies, Financing, Partnerships, and Youth Employment. These experiences have demonstrated the profound impact when young women are empowered to lead not just participate in conversations about their future.
During Expert Group Meetings (EGMs) reviewing SDG 8, I witnessed firsthand how young women, when empowered, can dramatically shift the tone and direction of discussions. Our presence rooted in lived experience brings authenticity, urgency, and innovative perspectives that challenge the status quo. However, despite this visibility, there remains a persistent gap: the need for more trust, influence, and authentic inclusion. It’s not enough to have young women present; we must be trusted to shape policies and decisions that affect their lives.
Young people, especially young women, are intimately familiar with the problems the world seeks to solve. We live where policy often struggles to meet reality whether it’s high unemployment rates, gender wage gaps, unsafe labor conditions, or the dominance of informal economies. We are on the frontlines, experiencing these challenges daily, yet we also possess the solutions.
In my global engagements as the Global Focal Point on Decent Work & Employment at the UN Major Group for Children and Youth, as the Executive Director of Women Economic Empowerment Africa (WEEA), and in multi-stakeholder dialogues involving UN agencies, African Union bodies, grassroots networks, and civil society, I have seen the transformative power of connecting policy with people. It’s clear that discussions on financing for development, green jobs, and labor market equity are hollow unless they translate into tangible action on the ground action that empowers young women and amplifies their voices.
Our focus must be twofold: influence global strategies and ensure they materialize in local communities villages, markets, schools, and startups where real change happens. Grassroots realities are rich sources of data, insights, and innovative solutions that can inform and strengthen global policies. For example, in Ethiopia and across Africa, young women are driving innovation and economic growth, yet they face formidable barriers that impede their progress. Complex tax systems, limited access to affordable financial services, and restrictive regulatory frameworks often discourage formal entrepreneurship among young women. Addressing these issues requires deliberate reforms simplifying tax policies, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and creating targeted incentives such as grants, subsidies, or tax breaks that encourage women to formalize and expand their businesses.
Financial institutions have a pivotal role in this ecosystem. They must develop flexible, innovative financial products tailored to women’s needs smaller loans, lower interest rates, collateral-free schemes, and digital financial services coupled with targeted training programs. Expanding access to digital finance can bridge gaps, enabling women to start, sustain, and scale enterprises. These financial tools and support mechanisms are essential for transforming potential into tangible economic outcomes, fostering a more inclusive and resilient economy.
Supporting young women entrepreneurs isn’t just about gender equality; it’s about accelerating sustainable development. When women lead businesses, they create jobs, improve household incomes, and enhance access to healthcare and education for their families. Women’s financial independence fosters social cohesion and community resilience. Promoting women’s entrepreneurship also diversifies the economy, drives innovation, and reduces gender disparities. It challenges traditional gender roles, empowering women to assume leadership positions across sectors and influencing societal norms.
A key strategy to unlock this potential is transforming the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) space into a more inclusive, modern, and youth-friendly ecosystem. Too often, TVET is viewed as a last resort an option for those who failed academically or lacked other opportunities. Instead, it should be positioned as the first-choice pathway an engine for green jobs, digital skills, and entrepreneurship. Modernizing TVET involves integrating digital literacy, fostering industry partnerships, providing mentorship, and offering certifications that are recognized and valued in the labor market. When youth see TVET as a viable, dignified pathway to decent work, it becomes a catalyst for inclusive economic growth.
The African proverb, “If you educate a woman, you educate a nation,” underscores the transformative power of investing in young women’s education and skills development. Supporting women entrepreneurs leads to increased employment, improved household well-being, and stronger communities. Women who are financially empowered tend to invest more in their families and communities, fostering social cohesion and resilience. Our participation in decision-making and leadership roles challenges patriarchal norms and paves the way for gender equality.
However, achieving this transformation requires deliberate policy action and sustained investment. Governments must prioritize gender-sensitive reforms that facilitate ease of doing business for women. This includes streamlining business registration processes, providing targeted financial support, and establishing mentorship and leadership development programs. Civil society and development partners must collaborate to create supportive ecosystems networks, incubators, and advocacy platforms that amplify young women’s voices and facilitate access to resources.
Decent work is not merely a goal; it is a fundamental human right. Achieving it requires bold, inclusive shifts in who speaks, who designs policies, and who leads. Young women, we are already shaping the future of work through their resilience, ingenuity, and leadership. We are the architects of sustainable economies, and our voices must be at the heart of policymaking processes.
In Ethiopia, and across Africa, young women are increasingly driving innovation, fostering new ideas, and contributing significantly to national development. Our entrepreneurial spirit is a vital asset,yet our potential is often stifled by structural barriers. To unlock this potential, governments and development partners must deepen our investments in policies that support women-led enterprises, improve access to finance, and create inclusive education and training systems.
Empowering young women is not just a moral imperative but a strategic investment in Ethiopia’s and Africa’a long-term prosperity. When women are empowered to start and grow businesses, they generate employment, improve household incomes, and foster social cohesion. Their leadership in the economy can catalyze a ripple effect transforming communities, reducing inequality, and building resilient, inclusive societies.
In conclusion, the future of decent work depends on the leadership of young women. From local communities to global platforms, our voices, ideas, and innovations must be prioritized and amplified. It is time to move beyond tokenism and foster genuine co-leadership where young women are active participants, decision-makers, and change agents. Only then can we build economies and societies that are truly equitable, inclusive, and sustainable.
BY MAHLET ZELEKE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 5 JUNE 2025
