Every year, International Women’s Day sparks conversations about leadership, equality, and women’s empowerment.
For me, it has gradually become something more personal — a moment to reflect on the stories I’ve had the privilege to tell as Hilmi, an editor at NewInAsia.
As a platform dedicated to spotlighting founders, innovators, and women leaders across Asia, much of my work at NewInAsia happens behind the scenes — telling stories that deserve wider attention. Through these stories, I’ve come to realize something simple but powerful: sometimes, supporting women begins with something small — like making sure their stories are heard.
Looking back, some of the most meaningful moments in my writing journey have come from the women I’ve had the chance to feature, learn from, and connect with through my work.
Highlights
When a Story Travels Further Than Expected
One of the pieces I’m most proud of writing was about Afghan women in tech leadership.
Before working on that story, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to connect with women from Afghanistan or share their journeys with a global audience.
The article explored the Afghan Women in Tech Leadership (AWTL) initiative — a program supporting Afghan women with technical skills, mentorship, and leadership development at a time when many have been stripped of access to education and formal employment.
What struck me most was the quiet determination behind these stories. For many of the women involved, technology had become more than a career path — it was a way to keep learning, building, and staying connected to opportunities that had suddenly disappeared.
Some women described coding as a form of resistance — continuing to learn, build projects, and mentor others even when opportunities were taken away. One fellow shared how losing access to university left her feeling directionless, yet she kept learning independently until she eventually became a professional developer and mentor for other women.
Writing that article reminded me that resilience often happens far away from headlines.
And sometimes, the most meaningful role a writer can play is simply making sure those stories are seen.
Amplifying Women Who Shape Conversations
At NewInAsia, another project close to my heart is our Top Voice series — where we highlight founders, industry leaders, and professionals shaping conversations across Asia and contributing to LinkedIn thought leadership within their industries.
This year, International Women’s Month has been particularly meaningful for our editorial team. To mark the occasion, we launched a special edition featuring Top Women’s Voices across Asia — recognizing women who are not only excelling in their industries but also actively sharing insights and influencing conversations within their communities.
These lists are not simply rankings. They are a way to spotlight women who use their voices to educate, mentor, and spark meaningful conversations across professional networks.
So far, we have published two editions:
- International Women’s Month: 10 Top Women’s Voices in Qatar (2026)
- International Women’s Month: 10 Top Women’s Voices in Singapore (2026)
The initiative also builds on last year’s editions, where we highlighted influential women across several countries, including:
- International Women’s Month: 10 Top Women’s Voices in Vietnam
- International Women’s Month: 10 Top Women’s Voices in India
- International Women’s Month: 10 Top Women’s Voices in Indonesia
- International Women’s Month: 10 Top Women’s Voices Malaysia
- International Women’s Month: 10 Top Women’s Voices in Singapore
And more editions are on the way.
What I find most inspiring through this initiative is discovering how many women are using their voices to educate, mentor, and create impact — sometimes through thoughtful posts, honest reflections, or shared professional experiences.
Highlighting these voices is a small but meaningful contribution to making their influence more visible.
My First Encounter with the Power of Women Supporting Women
In many ways, the idea of women supporting one another was something I experienced long before my career began.
Growing up with three sisters meant our home was often filled with different perspectives, conversations, and shared experiences. Looking back, it was probably my earliest glimpse of how women can support and learn from one another.
Later, I encountered that same spirit again in a professional setting.
Before joining NewInAsia, I worked at an online media platform and community forum dedicated to women. The topics ranged from lifestyle advice to everyday challenges, but what stayed with me most was the environment itself — a workplace where women openly supported and encouraged one another.
As someone just beginning my journey in writing, I was surrounded by colleagues who were generous with guidance and encouragement.
Looking back, that experience gave me my first real understanding of something powerful: what it feels like when women genuinely uplift one another.
Sometimes empowerment isn’t about big campaigns or major headlines — sometimes it simply looks like mentorship, encouragement, and shared growth.
Learning What Empowerment Means — One Story at a Time
On a more personal level, empowerment is still something I am learning to understand.
For a long time, when people asked about my perspective on conversations around women’s empowerment, I often hesitated to give confident answers. Not because the topic didn’t matter to me, but because I felt that truly supporting these conversations requires first understanding the realities and challenges people face.
For a while, that hesitation kept me within my comfort zone.
But through my work — writing stories, connecting with inspiring individuals, and highlighting voices across different cultures and industries — I have gradually started to see things differently.
Maybe empowerment doesn’t always begin with having the perfect answer.
Maybe it simply begins with participating.
Final Thoughts: Why Small Stories Can Create Big Ripples
The more stories I write, the more I realize that change rarely begins with one dramatic moment.
It grows through many small contributions: a founder sharing lessons from her journey, a professional mentoring others, a community helping women build new skills, and a storyteller making sure those efforts are seen.
Individually, these actions may seem small. Together, they form something powerful — a network of voices shaping a more inclusive future.
As we mark International Women’s Day, I find myself reflecting not only on the achievements of women around the world but also on my own journey as a writer.
There are many perspectives I hope to understand and many stories yet to tell.
If this work has taught me anything, it’s this: change doesn’t always start with grand actions. Sometimes it begins with something simple — writing a story, highlighting a voice, or sharing an experience that inspires someone else.
For me, that beginning is storytelling. And I’m grateful for every story that lets me keep learning along the way.
Because every story shared has the potential to inspire the next one.
Highlights
Read the Chinese article here.
