The 2025 International Women’s Day theme “Accelerate Action” emphasizes the importance and urgency of accelerating efforts to eliminate systemic barriers and biases that keep them from achieving their full potential.

This year’s theme calls for increased urgency to accelerate efforts to address systemic barriers and biases that women face, aligning with the direction of the Mastercard Foundation’s gender focus. Central to this vision is enabling the next generation, particularly young women and girls, who are agents of economic change and transformation.

Through our Young Africa Works strategy, the Foundation commits to supporting young women and girls by aiming for 21 million (70 percent) of the 30 million young people to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. This bold goal is only achievable by creating pathways and accelerating access to learning and work for young African women. Higher economic participation of young women will lead to higher spending on schooling for children, better health care, etc., with important implications for much-needed progress and growth in the long run.   Through direct employment and entrepreneurship, the Foundation looks to create pathways to work for young women while addressing systemic and enabling environment challenges that hinder young women from transitioning into work and sustaining long-term employment or business opportunities.

The stories below celebrate the contributions of young women and girls in our network, including young people who have been displaced, and young people living with disabilities, as well as Foundation partners, who are catalyzing change for inclusion.

#IWD2025 #SheDrivesChange #AccelerateHerImpact

Esther Dassanou, Director, Gender

Honoured as a Leader

Learn more about the Top 10 Empowering Women Leaders to Follow in 2025 from CIO Views and read about Esther's contributions to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

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Esther Dassanou, Director, Gender

We Are Here Photobook

Look through the photobook to read the inspiring stories

We Are Here is a documentary that showcases the transformative power of education and its ripple effects on individuals and communities. The film captures the inspiring journeys of Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, highlighting how access to education—especially for young women—creates life-changing opportunities. We Are Here delves into themes of transformative leadership, entrepreneurship, climate action, and the spirit of giving back. It celebrates how these Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni are shaping their futures, driving social change, championing sustainable development, and inspiring others to pursue their dreams with determination and courage.

View the photobook
The cover page of the WE ARE HERE photobook

Partners who support and uplift young women and girls