Women in Education Leadership Forum 2026 Highlights

The Women in Education Leadership Forum 2026, hosted by WICSO in partnership with the International Academy of London, brought together over 200 education leaders from 15 countries for two days of dialogue, networking, and commitment-building aimed at advancing women's representation and impact in educational leadership.

Keynote Speakers

The forum opened with a powerful keynote address from Dr. Sarah Mitchell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg and a globally recognized advocate for women in higher education leadership. Dr. Mitchell shared insights from her research on gender parity in university leadership, noting that while progress has been made, women still hold only 25% of university leadership positions globally.

The second day featured a keynote by Ms. Alice Abraham, International President of WICSO, who spoke about the importance of mentorship and sponsorship in advancing women's careers in education. She announced the launch of the WICSO Women in Leadership Mentorship Program, which will pair emerging women leaders with experienced mentors from across the WICSO network.

Workshop Themes

The forum offered 25+ workshops and breakout sessions organized around four core themes:

• •Breaking Barriers: Sessions addressing systemic obstacles to women's leadership advancement, including unconscious bias, work-life integration challenges, and institutional culture transformation.
• •Building Networks: Workshops focused on creating and leveraging professional networks, peer support structures, and cross-institutional collaboration for career advancement.
• •Leading Change: Skill-building sessions on strategic planning, change management, negotiation, and board governance for women in or aspiring to senior leadership roles.
• •Inclusive Leadership: Discussions on intersectionality, culturally responsive leadership, and creating inclusive environments that support diverse women leaders.

Networking and Outcomes

The forum provided extensive networking opportunities, including structured speed-networking sessions, regional caucuses, and an evening reception. Participants reported forming meaningful connections that will support ongoing collaboration and mutual support beyond the event. A dedicated online platform has been established to maintain these connections and facilitate continued peer learning.

Commitments Made

A significant outcome of the forum was the collective commitment to specific actions aimed at advancing women in educational leadership. Participating institutions pledged to:

• •Increase women's representation on institutional boards and senior leadership teams by 30% within five years.
• •Establish mentorship and sponsorship programs for women faculty and staff at all levels.
• •Conduct regular equity audits and publish progress reports on gender parity indicators.
• •Implement family-friendly policies and flexible work arrangements to support women's career progression.

Looking Ahead

Given the overwhelming success of the 2026 forum, WICSO has announced plans to make the Women in Education Leadership Forum an annual event. The 2027 forum will be hosted by a partner institution in Singapore, with preparations already underway. The event will continue to serve as a platform for advancing gender equity in educational leadership across the WICSO network and beyond.