Empowering Action for Change: Gender Equality and Women Empowerment
On Monday, 19 May 2025, Dr. Mulu Burhane kicked off the Short Executive Programme on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at MSM. The programme explored key concepts, frameworks, and practical tools to support and promote gender equality in professional environments.
For Mr. Mostafa Mohamed (Egypt) there were two reasons why he applied for the programme: “I applied because gender equality is not just a topic I work on, it’s a responsibility I carry, both professionally and personally. As a father of two daughters, I want to raise them in a world where their opportunities are not limited by gender. And as someone working in Upper Egypt, especially in rural areas where social barriers and taboos still restrict women and girls, I know how urgent and complex this work is.”
The programme exceeded his expectations: "“The programme was incredibly well-designed, moving thoughtfully from foundational concepts like gender theories, feminist movements, and definitions, into hands-on tools, case studies, and real-world applications. Each module added a layer of depth, from economic empowerment to SRHR and gender-responsive climate action, offering both a big-picture view and concrete strategies I can apply directly in my work.”
For Ms. Andriani Tsili (Cyprus), the programme provided a valuable opportunity to deepen her knowledge and reflect on how to apply gender and intersectionality perspectives across different contexts: “I applied for this programme because I am deeply interested in the topic of gender equality and women’s empowerment. As a PhD candidate in Gender Studies and a staff member at the Office of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusivity, I am constantly seeking opportunities to expand my knowledge and enhance the impact of my work. This programme felt like a valuable opportunity to deepen both the theoretical and practical dimensions of my engagement with these issues.”
Ms. Hazhan Khalid (Iraq) also reflected on how the programme reshaped her perspective: “Taking part in the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment programme at Maastricht University was eye-opening for me. I came to understand how deeply gender roles are embedded in our systems and how they intersect with factors like race and class. One topic that really stood out was gender-responsive budgeting—it showed me how policy decisions can either close or widen gender gaps depending on how resources are allocated. The course challenged my perspective and strengthened my commitment to advocating for inclusive and equitable approaches, especially in my role as an academic and researcher in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.”
Ms. Arwa R. AbuKashef (Jordan) found the programme to be a great experience, offering both insights and inspiration: “The Gender Equality and Women Empowerment course at Maastricht School of Management (MSM) was a deeply enriching and eye-opening experience. It was my first real hands-on engagement with the core concepts of gender equality, and it ignited thoughts for me to initiate change in my workplace back in Jordan.”
Mr. Mohamed highlighted the learning environment as a key strength: “What stood out most was the learning environment itself – grounded, and deeply engaging. Dr. Mulu Hundera was an exceptional trainer who created a space that felt safe, inclusive, and thought-provoking. Her ability to connect academic depth with lived experiences made every session feel relevant and powerful. As someone working in Upper Egypt on grassroots, I left the course with a renewed sense of clarity, commitment, and community. It didn’t just inform, it challenged, inspired, and equipped us to act.”
For Ms. Tsili the overall impression was very positive: “The programme was insightful, well-structured, and provided a great deal of clarity around key concepts and terminology. I particularly appreciated the use of diverse case studies, which helped to make the content more explicit and applicable. The learning environment was diverse, inclusive and dynamic and the trainer created a space that encouraged meaningful dialogue and reflection.”
Ms. AbuKashef, in particular valued the practical components of the programme: “At MSM, I explored critical tools like gender-responsive budgeting and climate finance—powerful frameworks that link economic policy with gender justice. I also gained a clearer understanding of the persistent challenges women face in both political and corporate spaces, from representation to leadership barriers.”
Mr. Mohamed’s main takeaway from the programme was clear: “My biggest takeaway is that gender equality doesn’t happen by accident — it happens by design. The programme gave me the tools to turn intention into action. Frameworks like the Gender Integration Continuum helped me assess where our current efforts stand and how we can move toward truly transformative change. I also found the four types of power framework especially powerful in understanding how to foster and sustain meaningful empowerment. As someone leading a startup accelerator, I gained valuable insights into the economic cost of gender inequality, particularly how it restricts women’s access to finance, leadership, and innovation opportunities. Learning how to design a gender-responsive budget was a practical skill I’ll immediately apply in our programmes. Equally important was understanding how to integrate gender in climate action — an area where inclusive solutions are not just fair, but necessary for impact. And perhaps most importantly, I walk away with a deeper belief that gender equality isn’t just a “women’s issue”, it’s about reshaping systems for everyone.”
Ms. Tsili highlighted the importance of practical implementation: “My main takeaway is a combination of positive energy and a more concrete understanding of how to apply a gender and intersectionality lens across different fields and contexts. The programme reinforced the importance of practical implementation and I now feel better equipped with tools and strategies to promote gender equity in both academic and institutional settings.”
Ms. AbuKashef concluded: “This course didn’t just offer theory—it offered perspective, practical knowledge, and a global platform to exchange ideas. It was a turning point in my journey toward advancing gender equality with purpose and strategy.”
About the programme
This training programme aims to address these critical gaps by equipping participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to promote gender-responsive policies, programs, projects and leadership. By focusing on economic empowerment, political representation, gender-based violence, climate action, and sexual and reproductive health, the program will empower stakeholders to accelerate progress toward a more inclusive, equal and sustainable world
Do you want to join the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion programme?
The next programme will run from 16 – 18 March 2026. Click here for more information about the programme and how to apply.
About MSM’s Short Executive Programmes
Today’s rapidly changing societies and economies demand the most from organisations, leaders, managers and professionals. MSM’s Short Executive Programmes for emerging markets are developed to achieve a successful and sustainable transformation of both individuals and organisations to support local economic development and business management.
Related links
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Global Insights and Practical Skills: Reflections on MSM’s Project Management Programme
