Empowering Women in the Workplace
The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025 reminds us that true gender equality remains a distant prospect, with full parity projected to take more than a century at the current pace. In response to this ongoing gap, Global Shapers London Hub II initiated a programme to better understand and address the everyday challenges women face in the workplace. Grounded in the lived experiences of early- and mid-career women in London, the programme moves beyond theory to offer practical, community-based solutions that build confidence, foster connection, and promote advocacy.
As part of this initiative, we surveyed 35 early- and mid-career women based in London. Their stories revealed a powerful and recurring theme: many struggle to bring their authentic selves to work. Over one-third disclosed feeling pressured to concealor modify key aspects of their personalities simply to fit in. This aligns closely with findings from McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org’s Women in the Workplace 2023 report, which shows that one in three women downplay their personal style or behaviour. This pattern steadily erodes confidence and engagement.
The word cloud highlights the most common barriers our respondents identified.
Target audience
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Based on a survey of 35 early- and mid-career women, the project identified its primary target audience as:
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Women in the first 0–3 years of their careers, especially those who:
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Lack access to structured mentoring or development opportunities
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Work in people-facing roles where confidence and communication are key Face unspoken norms or cultural expectations that make self-advocacy difficult​​
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Sector focus
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Small to mid-sized firms in professional services (e.g. consulting, finance, law, tech)
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Often lacking formal HR development frameworks compared to larger firms
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Environments where women are expected to "figure things out" with limited support
Expected output
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To address these gaps, we’re launching a cohort-based programme in October that fosters honest dialogue and peer learning
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In a supportive space, women share real challenges — from being overlooked in meetings to balancing caregiving roles — building connection and solidarity
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Through storytelling, peer support, and practical skill-building, the programme empowers women to advocate for themselves and uplift others
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More than individual development, it aims to spark a ripple effect: a community of women bringing their full selves to work, speaking openly about workplace barriers, and championing collective success.
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Program design
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Week 1: Identify Your Challenge & Own Your Career
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Week 2: Practice Confident Communication
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Week 3: Advocate for Yourself Through Your Values
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Week 4: Advocate for Other Women