GWL Week Wrap: Women Shaping Global Markets & Business Agendas

Women have been taking up their rightful position as major contributors to business growth, innovation, and leadership within organizations on a global scale. Be it through the establishment of businesses and scaling of operations, stepping into technology-oriented professions, or influencing decisions made in boardrooms, women are making their mark in various industries and creating new avenues for the professionals of tomorrow.

Some of the highlights from the week’s news include women entrepreneurs gaining access to courses in artificial intelligence, business development, grants, and export-readiness programs, and women mentorship programs enabling aspirants to join specific industries. Conferences and business forums have also been providing platforms for women to share their expertise and connect internationally.

In terms of decision-making and leadership impacts within organizations, some befitting examples from the field of corporate governance, public administration, and financial services display how women are making their presence felt in the areas of leadership and innovation. Some of these examples include the increased focus on innovation in Türkiye, mentoring on boards in Malaysia, and leadership recognition of women in Vietnam.

Here is a look at the key developments shaping the global women's leadership landscape in this week’s GWL Week Wrap.

Women’s Leadership, Recognition & Institutional Support

The emergence of initiatives and industry recognition continue providing various platforms for women to contribute toward business strategy formulation, governance strengthening, and institutional development.

A landmark banking award recognizes decades of leadership and service as Dame Debbie Crosbie DBE FCBI, CEO of Nationwide Building Society is all set to become the first woman to win the Lifetime Achievement Award by Chartered Banker Institute. The distinguished honor has been awarded only four times till date to people who have made extraordinary contributions to banking standards and the community throughout their careers. As an experienced individual in the world of financial services for more than 30 years, she has always strived towards professionalism, ethical banking, social mobility, diversity, and inclusion.

Istanbul welcomes a new center supporting women-led innovation and startups as the foundation of Women and Democracy (KADEM) launched the Women in Innovation Information Center in Istanbul, with efforts to assist female entrepreneurs in turning innovative ideas into tech startups. The program is meant to enable women entrepreneurs to develop their ideas, find opportunities for investment and expand their business locally and internationally. In the parallel DemoDay organized on this occasion, 20 female entrepreneurs pitched their projects and ideas to potential investors. The center, which was established with the financial assistance of ISTKA, will offer entrepreneurship training, mentoring and business development services.

Anca-Maria Verma has been nominated as the Ambassador-at-Large for the Inter-Governmental Institution for the Use of Micro-Algae Spirulina against Malnutrition (IIMSAM) of India for a tenure of five years from October 20, 2026, till October 19, 2031. Through her new position at IIMSAM, Anca will assist in the activities of IIMSAM in India by establishing institutional alliances and enhancing stakeholder interaction. Through her association with the industrialist and Shiv Sena chief Dr. Abhishek Verma, she has extensive experience in philanthropy, cultural affairs and social interaction.

30% Club of Malaysia is pushing for women in corporate boards to not only be present but also influential in making corporate decisions and strategy. Women occupy 34.4% of the board seats in Malaysia’s top 100 publicly listed companies, showing how the country is progressing in promoting gender diversity in corporate leadership roles. The club has mentored over 179 senior women leaders, where 47% of the mentees were appointed to the boards of publicly listed companies, SMEs, and trade associations.

Leaders and managers of the females in the Provincial Party Standing Committee met in Ninh Binh to mark the 96th anniversary of the Vietnam Women's Union. This meeting marked the contribution of women to leadership, governance, and professional development in the field, emphasizing their efforts in enhancing administrative efficiency and development of the locality. There are 131 female leaders and managers in the province. Among these are the improvement of the efficiency of the two-tier local administration system, provision of industrial and tourism services, and digitalization and enhancement of the quality of life of the people.

Women Entrepreneurs Advance through Funding, Training & Mentorship

From digital skills training to business funding and mentorship, various new projects have created chances for women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and enhance their professional connections.

Women Entrepreneurs in Pakistan are being urged to build up their digital competence levels through a special training program arranged by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI). Organized at the Karachi head office of the federation, the program called “AI & Business Development for Women Entrepreneurs” was conducted under the theme of “Her Digital Uraan.” The program was aimed to acquaint the attendees about AI use, digital business tools, and enterprise development skills along with stressing upon the significance of branding and formalization of businesses.

Female entrepreneurs residing in the frontline regions of Ukraine are benefiting from the Move Forward project that is being financially supported by the German government in partnership with GIZ and the National Development Institution (NDI). Under this programme, almost UAH 20 million have been provided to 51 entrepreneurs who were selected to strengthen their microenterprises and facilitate the development of their businesses. Since May 2026, there have been over 500 applications made by female entrepreneurs for support and guidance in developing their businesses. As part of this programme, grants are accompanied by mentoring and networking options.

Women with an interest in joining the broadcast technology industry have until October 30 to apply to participate in the LAUNCH Mentorship Program of 2026, which has been established by MIW and NABLF. Initiated in 2023, the one-year program will provide mentees with opportunities to interact with experienced mentors in the industry and get mentoring in broadcast engineering, audio engineering, and technical operations. The program also covers information technology, remote broadcasting, digital audio, and streaming and systems integration. Mentees will additionally have the opportunity to attend the 2027 NAB Show in Las Vegas.

The IgniteHER 4.0 three-day online conference taking place between November 5 and 7, 2026, aims to gather over 4,000 women entrepreneurs from Africa and the Caribbean. The event, which is set to end registration on October 25, will involve expert sessions, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and networking. Attendees will receive insights on leadership development, sustainability, and ways of growing in the future. The event will allow entrepreneurs to exhibit their enterprises through virtual exhibits.

Women’s Business Growth, Market Access & Investment Initiatives

Several new initiatives are endeavored to develop women’s entrepreneurship through business support, investment, mentorship, and access to international markets.

Omani women entrepreneurs and businessmen came together for the fourth Aamali Talks, which was held in collaboration between Omantel and Sohar International at Al Bait Al Sharqi, Muttrah. The initiative was held as part of Omani Women’s Day with the theme "Women Supporting Women in Business" and aimed at motivating the participants to discuss their experiences, network and look for ways to work together. This was the first time that both the companies had collaborated to conduct the initiative.

A new report calls for greater investment in women-owned businesses indicating that the increasing investments in women-owned businesses is likely to bolster local economies and generate employment and community development, according to the Enterprising Women Foundation. In the recently released white paper, “Women Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists: Building Businesses, Leaving Legacies,” through the Entrepreneurs of Purpose campaign, the organization evaluates the benefits that come from women’s entrepreneurship and philanthropic efforts. The foundation urges entrepreneurs, investors, and philanthropists to invest in women entrepreneurs through funding, mentoring, and building stronger networks.

The COIYWA program was recently initiated by the Zimbabwean government in order to enhance entrepreneurship among women and youths through financing, training, and market access. The program was launched by Sheillah Chikomo, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, at the 25th COMESA Summit, and it is being facilitated by COMFWB, AUDA-NEPAD, and Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation. The program will facilitate business incubation, mentoring, and financial literacy in an attempt to promote small enterprises. Zimbabwe is expected to join other nations such as Ethiopia and Kenya in running a business incubator, which will focus on leather production and exportation.

Nigerian women in the state of Kano have been trained in export promotion by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in order to grow their business ventures across the borders. The training organized by the Northwest Regional Office of the NEPC included product development, quality assurance, certification, and export readiness. Hajiya Amina Abdulmalik of the regional coordinator of the NEPC emphasized that there is a need for the entrepreneurs to overcome their business challenges by acquiring relevant skills.

Final Thoughts:

This week's progress is not just limited to personal success; rather, it displays a larger endeavor to empower women through acquisition of global skills, resources, networks, and leadership roles that allow them to add value to various sectors.

To continue this momentum, it is also crucial to provide access to resources and power that will enable women to participate in the development of business strategies and sustainable growth, rather than only giving them access to professional environments. While making their marks in entrepreneurship, tech industry, finance, and governance, women continue to provide new insights into what leadership means today.