UNESCO Launched the Empower-Her Initiative
The four-year program supports women leaders from Africa and China through education and mentorship.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Women’s Issues
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UNESCO and the Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association have launched the Empower-Her initiative to promote global female leadership. The program connects 60 women per cohort for professional development and knowledge exchange.
Why it matters
The initiative aims to bridge persistent gender gaps in education, STEM, digital skills, and economic participation. By fostering international networks, the program helps women leaders address systemic barriers to their advancement.
The Empower-Her initiative is a four-year program that selects 60 women for each cohort. Each group is comprised of 30 women from Africa and 30 women from China.
The players
UNESCO
This is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for promoting international cooperation in education, arts, sciences, and culture.
Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association
This organization facilitates educational partnerships and innovation exchanges between China and North African nations.
The details
The program facilitates leadership development, policy dialogue, and workshops to help participants build professional networks. It focuses on critical areas including digital skills and economic participation to empower women in their respective regions.
Timeline
The forum launch and initiative announcement occurred on September 21, 2026.
Culture Shift
This program aligns with the gender equity targets established by the UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report. It follows the pattern of targeted global interventions required to address documented gender disparities in education and leadership.
The program creates new professional networking opportunities for women leaders in Africa and China. Participants can apply these cross-cultural insights and leadership skills to their local community initiatives and professional environments.
The takeaway
Collaborative international programs provide essential resources for women navigating barriers in STEM and leadership. Establishing cross-border professional networks remains a highly effective method for fostering long-term economic and educational inclusion.
Further reading
For more on international initiatives supporting gender equality, visit the Women’s Issues section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by UNESCO.
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