DialogueON Women in Policy - find out what it was about!

On Friday, March 28th, 2025, DialogueON hosted a powerful and inspiring online webinar titled "Women in Policy", bringing together passionate voices committed to reshaping the future through gender equity, climate action, and inclusive policy making. The event featured two amazing guest speakers—Tamara from Kenya and Aggul from Azerbaijan—who shared their journeys, challenges, and visions for more representative policy.

Speaker Spotlight: Tamara

Tamara, an Ambassador for the Green Dimensions Network, opened the discussion with her experiences working across climate, health, and gender-based violence. She underscored how personal passion can translate into policy action.

She shared the emotional challenges of being a woman in the policy space - the burnout, the rejection and the exclusion. “The policy world is where we turn this passion into solutions,” she said, highlighting the need for persistence and courage to transform lived experiences into systemic change.

Tamara also emphasized the importance of mental health, particularly for women in advocacy. Her call to action was clear: women must advocate for what matters to them, break down barriers, and claim space in governance. She celebrated the growing inclusion of women in policy but reminded us that the work isn’t done - true representation means shaping agendas, not just attending the meetings.

Speaker Spotlight: Aggul

From Azerbaijan, Aggul brought a thoughtful lens on the intersection of gender justice and peacebuilding. A Youth Ambassador for Women Against Violence Europe and an active civil society voice, she questioned whether women’s current representation in leadership is truly meaningful - or simply symbolic.

Aggul highlighted the unique skills women bring to decision-making spaces: emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, and strategic thinking. She warned against tokenism - where women are included as a gesture rather than empowered as equal stakeholders - and called for genuine, equitable participation, especially for women of color and queer individuals. “Democracy means representing half the population,” she reminded us.

Our Audience

Audience contributions brought new perspectives to the dialogue, reinforcing the urgency and relevance of women in policy.

Peter highlighted the persistence of gender bias within communities, where cultural and institutional barriers still limit women’s participation in public and policy spaces. He called for policy reforms that address sexual violence and the disproportionate impacts of disease on women.

In response to questions about women’s underrepresentation in global forums like COP, Tamara and Aggul shared practical advice: join networks like YOUNGO, engage with local NGOs, and participate in grassroots campaigns to find your voice and community.

Daniel emphasized the vital role women play in environmental stewardship and asked how we can boost their presence in decision-making spaces. Both speakers agreed - more platforms, better access, and genuine inclusion are key.

Together, the audience reaffirmed a shared belief: real change happens when diverse voices lead the conversation.

Key Takeaways: A Call for Continued Action

The DialogueON session reminded us that representation is not enough. Participation must be meaningful. Women in policy spaces are not just contributors; they are changemakers, strategists, and essential actors in a sustainable and just future.

From climate change to conflict resolution, gender equity to mental health, women bring invaluable insights that can no longer be sidelined. As both Tamara and Aggul emphasized, advocacy is a long road filled with challenges, but it is also filled with opportunity, collaboration, and hope.

This event was not just a discussion. It was a reminder that passion becomes power when translated into policy, and that every woman, regardless of background, has a role to play in shaping the future.

~Naomi Lea