Global women and youth unite ahead of G20 South Africa to champion peace, wellbeing and balanced leadership

Global women and youth unite ahead of G20 South Africa to champion peace, wellbeing and balanced leadership

As geopolitical tensions, economic instability and rapid technological shifts challenge international collaboration, the 3rd Annual Digital Power of Women (DPOW) Conference presents a unified global response. Taking place online from 21–22 November 2025, the event will gather women and young people from over 100 nations to advance inclusive governance and equitable leadership in the lead-up to the G20 South Africa and COP30 Brazil summits.

Hosted by Power of Women, a We Are The Hope initiative created by Shenali Rajaratnam, the conference centres on the theme Power Rooted in Connection. Recognised as an official digital event of Civil20 (C20) and G20 Social South Africa, it aims to directly connect civil society with international policy-making platforms.

A call for inclusion and integrity

The world is navigating overlapping challenges — climate disruption, widening digital divides and fractured leadership. In this context, the DPOW Conference champions a values-led understanding of power, encouraging governments and institutions to prioritise peace, wellbeing and gender balance in their decisions.

Rajaratnam describes the event as “a space where storytelling, music and digital media guide the ethical direction of global governance.” Her message aligns with a growing global awareness that sustainable development requires empathy, collaboration and shared responsibility.

Research reinforces this perspective: countries with gender-balanced leadership tend to show stronger innovation, education outcomes and social trust. However, women remain 18 per cent less likely than men to access advanced digital training, restricting their participation in both the digital economy and policy arenas.

Thought leaders and partnerships for progress

DPOW 2025

Keynote speakers include H.E. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former UN Women Executive Director and former Deputy President of South Africa; H.E. Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius; Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Tawakkol Karman; Thulani Tshefuta, Chair of Civil20 South Africa; Ambassador Vanessa Dolce de Faria, COP30 Brazil’s High Representative for Gender and Environment; and Jean Oelwang, CEO of Virgin Unite.

Joining them will be academics, diplomats, economists and youth leaders from G20 member states and the African Union, who will explore practical strategies for digital inclusion, economic participation and environmental responsibility.

A highlight of the programme is a partnership with Google, through which 1,000 Google Digital Career Certificates will be provided via Coursera to young women and girls. This collaboration aims to broaden access to digital learning and promote equal opportunities in the global labour market.

Mobilising a global voice

Expected to reach more than one million participants worldwide, DPOW 2025 is poised to become one of the most influential digital civil-society gatherings feeding into the G20 process. The conference focuses on six interconnected priority areas:

• Peace and conflict resolution

• Digital and AI governance

• Earth-centred environmental action

• Inclusive economic development

• Education and digital skills

• Wellbeing, health and social stability

The final declaration will be submitted to G20 South Africa, COP30 Brazil and other international platforms, underscoring the essential role of women and youth in shaping fair and sustainable global governance.

A pivotal moment for leadership culture

The DPOW movement is rooted in a longstanding principle: societies advance when leadership is inclusive, accountable and grounded in service. Its approach, driven by digital connectivity and cooperative design, brings a contemporary dimension to this enduring belief.

However, turning dialogue into long-term structural transformation remains the central challenge. For DPOW’s impact to be sustained, participating organisations must integrate balanced representation, digital equity and wellbeing-focused policy into their governance systems.

Global data reveals ongoing disparities. Women currently occupy about 26 per cent of parliamentary seats, while youth unemployment remains higher than the general labour rate. Addressing these inequalities has the potential to strengthen innovation, productivity and social cohesion.

As participants connect across regions, DPOW 2025 stands as more than an event — it is a coordinated call for leadership anchored in connection, ethics and fairness.

Participation is free and open to all. Full details, registration information and the complete programme can be found at www.powerofwomen.info/dpow2025.

For enquiries or media requests: hello@powerofwomen.info

Additional resources on women’s digital empowerment and responsible governance are available through the Power of Women network.