Women's Climate Leadership

In 2025, Wedu made enabling women’s climate leadership a strategic priority for the organisation.

Wedu’s holistic model supports women across South and Southeast Asia through three interconnected offerings: leadership development, education financing, and mentorship.

Together, they form an ecosystem of support for women at every stage of their journey, from emerging leaders taking their first steps, to established changemakers driving collective impact across the region.

Why women's climate leadership, and why now

Across South and Southeast Asia, women are already on the frontlines of climate change, leading community resilience efforts, driving local solutions, and advocating for change at every level.

Yet they remain largely absent from the rooms where climate decisions are made. Women make up only 30 to 35% of Asian delegations at international climate negotiations, and in South Asia, just 16.6% of parliamentarians are women.

This is not just inequitable. It is ineffective. Research across 91 countries shows that greater female representation correlates with stronger climate policies and lower carbon emissions.

Women in this region do not need to be introduced to the climate crisis. They are living it and leading through it. Wedu supports women leaders to ensure they have the skills, resources, and networks to lead at every level.

Three pillars. One movement.

Women Rising for Climate Resilience

Women Rising for Climate Resilience is a leadership development programme for emerging women leaders across South and Southeast Asia. Through eight weeks of structured online learning, co-designed with women leaders and climate organisations across the region, participants develop climate justice frameworks, systems thinking, and practical leadership tools grounded in their own contexts. 

The programme does not end with the course. Graduates receive mentorship to support implementation of their Climate Solution Concept Note, and where resources allow access to seed funding for their pilot initiatives. Through Wedu’s alumni network, peer circles, and Climate Alliance for Women Leaders in Asia (CAWLA) connections, participants continue to grow their impact long after they complete the programme.

Our target: 100 women complete Women Rising for Climate Resilience by 2029.

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ISA for Climate: Education financing for women in the green economy

Wedu’s Income Share Agreement (ISA) provides affordable and flexible financing for women pursuing education and leadership opportunities. As the green economy expands, Wedu is increasingly supporting women entering climate-related fields such as environmental engineering and sustainable urban planning. 

In 2024, 24% of ISA recipients studied climate-related subjects. By 2026, Wedu aims to establish strategic climate-focused partnerships and maintain a minimum  20% of ISA contracts allocated annually for women studying climate related education or professional development. Repayments are made only after graduates begin earning, creating a cycle that supports future women leaders.

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Climate Alliance for Women Leaders in Asia (CAWLA)

CAWLA is a regional peer exchange platform connecting a diverse community of women climate leaders across South and Southeast Asia, including established climate organisations, funders, researchers and academics, grassroots practitioners, and climate initiative founders. Launched in 2026 with 30 founding members, it is a space for peer learning, collaboration, mentorship, and joint advocacy.

Members convene regularly to share knowledge, co-design learning priorities, and identify opportunities for collective action. Our goal is to convene the Alliance at least four times by 2027, to facilitate 25 climate-focused mentorship matches annually, and support at least four community-based climate initiatives through seed funding and mentorship.

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This work did not begin with Wedu.

It began with women climate leaders.

Built by the women it serves

Women Rising for Climate Resilience was co-designed with women leaders and climate organisations, co-creating a curriculum shaped by their knowledge, priorities, and lived experience. 

The Climate Alliance for Women Leaders in Asia (CAWLA) was created by women climate leaders and climate organisations who recognised the need for a strong peer network and helped define its direction.

Across Wedu’s ISA community, many women pursuing climate-related careers have become leaders through pathways they forged themselves. Wedu’s role is to bridge gaps in financing, skills, and networks. The movement itself, and the ecosystem that supports it, has been built and shaped by women.

Our alliance partners

There are many ways to be part of this movement. You can join our network as a member, open doors through your connections and expertise, fund the work that removes barriers for women leaders, and amplify the voices and initiatives that deserve to be heard.

Join us!

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