13 Feb Wedu and the Asian University for Women partner to close the gender leadership gap

We proudly announce the Asian University for Women (AUW) in Bangladesh as our first outreach partner for 2025. This partnership enables Wedu to strengthen the pipeline of ISA members, broadening our reach and supporting more women on their leadership development journeys.

For many women in South and Southeast Asia, access to further education remains a significant challenge. Gender norms and financial barriers make it less likely for women in the region to pursue further education, and in turn, pursue their leadership aspirations.  

The lack of women in leadership positions—whether in government, business, or education—contributes to the continued marginalisation of women, exacerbating the cycle of inequality across the globe while simultaneously hindering the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. 

Access to education, a prerequisite to gender parity

As reported by the Asia Society, much of the representation of women leaders in South and Southeast Asia signals exceptions to the norm rather than indications of gender parity. While women with familial support, economic stability, and access to a network of opportunity can reach leadership positions, like in government, most women face a series of barriers that necessitate broad structural change. This is why increasing access to education is a prerequisite and first step to building gender parity in the region. 

Wedu is currently the longest-standing and most experienced operator in the Income Sharing space in Asia, and the only women-centered one.

Through further education, women gain knowledge and formal certificates/degrees and the opportunity to build a network, learn soft skills, and connect with others, all of which are integral to finding a job and developing one’s career. Through further education, women are also given the space and time to reflect and invest in their own development alongside other women—a vital step in breaking down harmful gender norms. 

Through our Income Sharing Agreement programme, Wedu provides accessible, affordable, and flexible stop-gap education financing to women across South and Southeast Asia. Alongside funding, we provide women with one-on-one mentorship, leadership training, and professional networks to support the transition from education to employment. 

Partnerships to scale access to education

Thanks to our partners Sunline Foundation, Kiva, The Social Investment Company (TSIC), Octava Foundation, Circle of Angels, Synergy Social Ventures, and North East Family Office (formerly Algot Enevoldsen Foundation) we have secured funds to enable women changemakers and aspiring leaders across South and Southeast Asia to pursue their further education. Equally important to our funding partners are mission-aligned institutional partners who enable us to scale the ISA programme by reaching more women seeking support in their leadership development journeys.

Our newly signed partnership with the Asian University for Women (AUW) in Bangladesh marks our first outreach partnership in 2025 geared towards funding more women’s education and providing women with mentorship and leadership training to complement their education. This partnership enables us to scale our applicant portfolio strategically, effectively managing risk while optimising impact. 

Asian University for Women – an institution rooted in equity

AUW is an independent institution dedicated to women’s education and leadership development. Founded in 2008, AUW offers transformative liberal arts and sciences education to women, enabling them to become leaders in their communities. With over 1700 students from 17+ countries, AUW admits women based on merit, not financial status, and is particularly focused on those from under-resourced backgrounds. In 2016, AUW launched the Pathways for Promise programme to support women from disadvantaged communities across Asia, including women from Bangladesh’s garment factories and refugees from conflict zones.

AUW is built on the belief that no population should have a monopoly on opportunity.

Because of their commitment to equity in education, over 77% of the student body is on full scholarship. Over the years, AUW has partnered with foundations, corporations and governments to support their vision for equitable access to education. 

In 2023, AUW partnered with HSBC to launch the School of Apparel and Retail Management in Bangladesh. The School’s one-year Master’s program is designed to prepare young women for leadership roles in Bangladesh’s growing apparel industry by teaching supply chain management, brand management, fashion, merchandising and managing occupational health and safety issues. Last year,  Chevron sponsored AUW’s Summer School, designed to strengthen students’ STEM skills and boost their confidence in pursuing careers in technology and science. And in January 2025, AUW signed a four-year agreement with Denmark to develop innovative climate change leaders. The project aims to equip AUW students with climate science, environmental engineering, and leadership education, empowering them to lead climate resilience and sustainability efforts in Bangladesh and beyond.

Rising together

To close the gender leadership gap within our lifetime, we will need intentional programmes that target the barriers to equity and partners to amplify our impacts. Would you like to partner with us as a funding or outreach partner? Send an email to our ISA team at funding@weduglobal.org. 

We are grateful to our mission-aligned partners for their commitment to enabling women across South and Southeast Asia to achieve their educational goals on their own terms. Through your thought partnership and support, we can reach more women and pursue partnerships that ensure the impact of the ISA programme goes beyond mere funding and translates into meaningful leadership journeys. 

Learn more about our Education Funding Programme

Learn more about Asian University for Women