ABURY GGU Academy

Problem

Despite the progress made in recent years, gender inequality remains a significant challenge, especially in leadership and employment. Women still make up only 42% of the global workforce, and just 31.7% hold senior leadership positions (Source: Global Gender Gap Report 2024). Although it is well-known that women in leadership roles benefit everyone, including making companies more profitable and improving decision-making processes (Source: United Nations).

The problem doesn’t just lie with employers, but also with society as a whole and young women’s own beliefs about themselves.

Studies show: The teenage years are a crucial phase. Without adequate support and female role models during these formative years, many girls are less likely to pursue leadership roles, limiting their potential.

If we want to build a new generation of female managers, we have to start early.

Our approach

After two years of close collaboration, the Girls Gearing Up association is becoming part of the ABURY Foundation. Together, we have further developed and expanded internationally the Academy concept developed by GGU (Girls Gearing Up), with a shared goal: to empower girls to forge their own paths and play an active role in shaping the world.

The ABURY Girls Gearing Up Academy combines leadership, personal development and mentoring with a strong international network. Through workshops, academies and year-round support, girls develop self-confidence, new skills and the courage to put their ideas into practice.

Together, we want to reach even more girls and move closer to our goal: to support a total of 50,000 women and girls by 2030.

The Academy – A week that makes a difference

The ABURY Girls Gearing Up Academy is far more than just a leadership week. It creates a space where young women from different countries, cultures and walks of life can come together, try new things, learn from one another and discover what they are capable of.

Through workshops, challenges and encounters with inspiring women, female managers and entrepreneurs, they explore questions such as: Who am I? What do I stand for? What do I want to change – and how can I get started? In the process, they develop very specific skills: from communication, active listening and conflict resolution, through design thinking and creative problem-solving, to teamwork and leadership.

Just as important is what happens between the programme activities: genuine connections, mutual trust and a strong sisterhood that transcends cultural and social boundaries.

As a result, by the end of the programme, the participants take away more than just new knowledge: greater self-confidence, fresh perspectives, an international network – and the courage to forge their own path and inspire others to join them.