Why We Need More Women Leaders (and Why It’s Everyone’s Problem)

They say leadership is about showing up. But sometimes, no one shows up for you.

I remember planning a leadership workshop for Her FIRST, our initiative to empower girls in robotics. I had snacks. I had certificates. I had everything set—except attendees. And in that painfully quiet room, it hit me: this wasn’t just my problem. It was a reflection of what so many girls in STEM face every day—lack of visibility, lack of support, and most of all, lack of belief that they belong at the table in the first place.

That’s why Her FIRST exists. Because having more women in leadership isn’t just “nice.” It’s necessary, especially in technology fields, not just for women, but for everyone.

The Leadership Gap Hurts Everyone

We live in a world designed mostly by one half of the population. Whether it's voice assistants that don’t recognize women’s voices as easily, machine learning models that prefer men's resumes over women's, or crash-test dummies designed around male bodies, the absence of women in decision-making leads to real-world consequences. When leadership isn't diverse, solutions aren’t either.

Women bring different perspectives, lived experiences, and problem-solving approaches that make teams better. Studies show that organizations with more women in leadership roles perform better financially and make more ethical, inclusive decisions. It's not about women being better leaders—it’s about needing all kinds of leaders.

This Isn’t Just a “Women’s Issue”

If we treat this like it’s just our battle to fight, we miss the point of what we are fighting for.

Yes, women are underrepresented in leadership roles across industries. But that imbalance didn’t appear out of nowhere, and it can’t be solved without involving everyone. Too often, men are left out of the conversation or feel unsure how to help. But allyship is leadership, too.

We need more male mentors who step back and listen, who support, and who challenge norms. We need teachers who call on girls and boys to lead. We need peers who notice when someone is left out and ask why.

If you believe in fairness, then you believe in gender equity. That makes it your issue too.

It Starts With Us

Leadership isn’t a podium or a LinkedIn title—it’s in the small decisions. It’s in raising your hand when no one else does. It’s in lifting others up, especially when no one’s watching.

As a high schooler, I don’t have all the answers. But I do know this: if we want to see more women in leadership, we have to build those spaces, not just wait to be invited into them.

That means starting clubs, teaching classes, and creating workshops—even when no one shows up, because every effort, every invitation, every open door matters. Not because we need to “fix” girls or teach them confidence, but because leadership should reflect everyone, and right now, it doesn’t.