Australia Awards scholars and WLI alumni recently attended the Women Deliver 2026 conference, a leading global event focused on advancing gender equality and the health, rights and wellbeing of women and girls.
The conference brought together government representatives, civil society, youth leaders and the private sector to address pressing global challenges and accelerate progress toward gender equality. Through plenary sessions, workshops and networking, participants explored how gender equality intersects with climate change, health, education, technology and global systems.
Alongside the conference program, Australia Awards facilitated a series of tailored activities to deepen engagement and strengthen connections across the cohort. These included online workshops before and after the event, a welcome dinner, opportunities to engage with Australian Government representatives, and panel discussions hosted at the Australia Awards booth, which were open to all conference participants and well attended.
Key insights from scholars and alumni
Reflections from participants highlighted a strong, shared understanding that gender equality is not a “nice-to-have” but a core development, peace and climate priority, requiring sustained political will, gender-responsive planning and real accountability.
There was also strong recognition that gender and climate are interlinked, with climate and economic shocks increasing risks of girls leaving school and early or forced marriage. Participants stressed that climate responses must be measured by their impact on women’s rights, safety and decision-making power.
Across discussions, participants highlighted the importance of designing inclusive approaches from the outset, applying an intersectional lens so that people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ communities, First Nations and Indigenous peoples, and other marginalised groups are not left behind. Feminist practice was described as centering lived experience and diverse voices, grounded in the principle of “nothing about us without us”. Participants also emphasised the importance of engaging men and boys as active allies, noting that “we must work WITH men and not ON men to create the change that we want to see.”
Participants agreed that transformative change requires strong coalitions, bringing together governments, civil society and the private sector to build shared narratives and sustain momentum toward the 2030 gender equality goals.
Key themes shaping discussions
Reflections from Australia Awards participants spanned a broad range of interconnected themes, including:
- engaging men and boys as partners in gender equality
- advancing gender equality in health and education systems
- addressing climate change as a gendered issue
- strengthening locally led approaches
- expanding leadership pathways for women and marginalised groups
- embedding intersectionality across programs and policies
- navigating AI, technology and digital justice
- addressing conflict and strengthening global systems
- reforming funding models and reducing bureaucratic barriers
- supporting personal and leadership transformation.
From reflection to action
Participants’ reflections also identified four priority areas for action moving forward.
- Safety, health and protection: strengthening prevention and responses to gender-based violence and improving access to essential health services.
- Education, information and mindset change: protecting girls’ education during crises and expanding access to trusted information, digital literacy and online safety.
- Locally led coordination and systems: improving collaboration across governments, civil society and communities, and embedding gender equality, disability and social inclusion across policies and programs.
- Resourcing, partnerships and community action: shifting funding toward grassroots and women-led organisations, building partnerships, and translating commitments into practical action.
Lasting impact
The experience also had a significant personal impact on participants. Many described renewed confidence and a deeper understanding of leadership, with one participant noting, “I felt a quiet shift within myself: a renewed confidence that my voice has a place here and that collaboration doesn’t dilute leadership – it strengthens it.”
Participants highlighted the strength of the Australia Awards network, sharing that “we all came together… giving me a sense that wherever we are, we will always support and have each other’s back.”
The Women Deliver 2026 conference provided a valuable opportunity for Australia Awards scholars and alumni to connect, learn and contribute to global conversations, reinforcing their role as leaders driving gender equality outcomes in their communities, across the Pacific and beyond.
