Women's Economic Agency
Every woman makes economic decisions. Not every woman has economic agency.
At She Inspires, we believe Women’s Economic Agency is the ability to make informed choices, access opportunities, exercise influence and shape your own future with confidence. It is strengthened through recognition, knowledge, leadership, trusted relationships and opportunity.
This belief sits at the heart of everything we do.
Women’s Economic Agency is about far more than financial independence. It is about ensuring that women have the confidence, capabilities, connections and opportunities to realise their potential, lead with purpose and create lasting impact in their families, workplaces, businesses and communities.
For more than a decade, She Inspires has been creating the conditions in which women can be recognised, grow in confidence, develop as leaders and access meaningful opportunities. Today, Women’s Economic Agency provides the philosophy that brings all of this work together.
Why It Matters
Every day, women make decisions that shape their lives.
They decide whether to apply for a promotion, start a business, return to education, negotiate a salary, change careers, care for loved ones or invest in their future. These decisions influence not only their own lives but also the wellbeing of their families, workplaces and communities.
Yet confidence, opportunity and access are not experienced equally. Too many women have the talent, ambition and determination to succeed but continue to face barriers that limit their choices or prevent them from realising their full potential.
At She Inspires, we believe that strengthening Women’s Economic Agency helps change that.
When women have the confidence to lead, the knowledge to make informed decisions and the opportunity to turn ambition into action, the impact extends far beyond the individual. Businesses become stronger, communities become more resilient and future generations are inspired by what becomes possible.
Advancing Women’s Economic Agency is not simply about supporting women. It is about creating a more inclusive, innovative and prosperous society for everyone.
Why We Believe This
For more than a decade, She Inspires has listened to thousands of women through the She Inspires Awards, RISE, Let’s Talk Money, the Marketplace, Empower 50,000 Girls and our wider community initiatives. We have celebrated their achievements, heard their stories, witnessed their challenges and shared in their successes. We have seen women return to education, build businesses, step into leadership, strengthen their financial confidence, support their communities and create opportunities for others.
Through these experiences, one message has become increasingly clear.
Recognition matters.
Leadership matters.
Opportunity matters.
On their own, each can make a difference. Together, they have the power to transform lives. That understanding has shaped the way we think about Women’s Economic Agency. It is not simply about recognising achievement or opening individual doors. It is about creating an ecosystem where women are supported to grow in confidence, develop as leaders and access meaningful opportunities throughout their journey.
Women’s Economic Agency is not another She Inspires initiative. It is the philosophy that connects everything we do.
Three Pathways to Women’s Economic Agency
At She Inspires, we believe Women’s Economic Agency is advanced through three connected pathways. Together, they help women build confidence, develop leadership and create opportunities to shape their own futures.
Recognition
She Inspires Awards
Celebrating achievement and building confidence.
Opportunity
Marketplace
Creating trusted pathways to collaboration, enterprise and growth.
Opportunity Starts Here
The She Inspires Marketplace is where Women’s Economic Agency comes to life.
It provides an immediate pathway for women, organisations and partners to connect, collaborate and create meaningful opportunities. Whether you are growing a business, developing your career, seeking trusted expertise, looking for collaboration or expanding your professional network, the Marketplace brings together a carefully curated community built on trust, credibility and shared purpose.
While many opportunities follow annual programmes or events, the Marketplace is open all year round—creating opportunities when they are needed most. It is where conversations become collaborations, introductions become partnerships, and potential becomes progress.
Because opportunity shouldn’t have to wait.
Agency in Action
Women’s Economic Agency is more than a philosophy. It is about creating real opportunities that change lives.
The Stacey’s Stepping Stone Award is one example. Each year, the award provides funding and mentoring to help a woman take the next step in her journey, transforming recognition into opportunity and ambition into action. Over the years, these remarkable women have gone on to grow businesses, strengthen communities and inspire others.
Meet the Stacey’s Stepping Stone recipients →
