Synergising with women leaders

 

I attended a women-only gathering today, and it was truly a vibrant experience. Women of different age groups came together, each carrying immense potential and the capability to contribute meaningfully towards making the world a better place.

The event was hosted by Mr. Shabbir, founder of Sensage, with the intention of harnessing and streamlining women’s contribution and leadership within the community.

Many notable personalities were part of the gathering, including Ms Maria, Aisha, Dr Afreen, Nahida, Asra, Husna, Ishrat, Dr Pareen, Tayabba, Nabila, Simran, Namra, Iman, Noorain, and many others. What especially stood out to me were the dynamic young women who are still pursuing their undergraduate studies, yet already possess such clarity, confidence, and leadership potential.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Ruha Shadab, founder and CEO of LedBy— young in age, yet far ahead in vision and impact. Her insights on women’s participation in nation-building were thought-provoking and deeply relevant.

One of the most engaging parts of the event was the group discussion on:

“What defines leadership as a Muslim woman?”

It was fascinating to witness the varied perspectives and interpretations shared by participants. The younger girls especially impressed me with their thought process, confidence, and awareness. There is always something enriching about meeting new people, listening to diverse viewpoints, and understanding how differently one concept can be perceived and lived.

Another remarkable aspect of the gathering was the discipline with time. The program started on time and concluded exactly as scheduled — something that reflects professionalism and respect for participants.

As an extension of the discussion, I would like to share my own understanding of leadership.

I believe every person is a leader — adult or child, man or woman. Leadership is not merely a title given by an institution or society. A leader is a responsible changemaker. Every conscious individual who takes ownership of creating positive change is, in essence, a leader.

To lead, one does not necessarily need followers. Dashrath Manjhi was a leader. Gauri Nayak and Bobita Soren are leaders. Leadership lies in responsibility, resilience, and the courage to act.

Speaking specifically about women’s leadership — every woman has the capacity to lead. The responsibility she takes for her family, the values she nurtures, and the path she creates are all signs of leadership. When she extends the same ownership and concern to the wider community, she begins contributing towards larger social change.

Through Edutop, the work I strive to do is to help women recognize their own leadership potential. The best place to begin creating change is within ourselves, then within our homes, and eventually within the larger community.

Imagine a society where everyone understands leadership not as authority, but as responsibility. A place where no one seeks to rule over another, but where people consciously practice qualities such as empathy, tolerance, accountability, and compassion.

Like all meaningful gatherings, this meetup also helped build networks, inspire collaboration, & ignite conversations around collective growth. It ended with a shared promise to support one another, synergize, & contribute something meaningful to the world.

Grateful to be part of such positive spaces and communities.