At the heart of the webinar was an inspiring presentation by Maria Cruz Díaz de Terán, professor of law at the University of Navarre (Spain), who shared a fresh and human-centered perspective on innovation. She traced the evolution of the concept from a focus on product development, to market-oriented strategies, and finally to an approach centered around people and their needs. Her assertion was clear: people are the true drivers of innovation.

One of the central messages of the webinar was that effective innovation involves not just the generation of ideas, but the ability to identify real needs, co-create inclusive solutions, and scale them for wider social impact. Maria Cruz offered a compelling anecdote from Bolivia, where a well-intentioned solution failed to make a meaningful difference because the underlying need was misunderstood. This example underscored the importance of listening, collaboration, and continuous evaluation.

The conversation brought to light the often invisible yet crucial contributions of women to innovation throughout history. Participants shared stories of women like Maria the Jew, considered the first female alchemist, and Clara Campoamor, who championed women’s suffrage in Spain. These women challenged the status quo, often with little recognition. The webinar addressed the structural and cultural forces that have historically silenced women’s contributions, including the “Matilda effect,” and emphasized the importance of rewriting narratives to include women’s achievements.

Key themes that emerged included:

• The importance of socio-emotional competencies, such as empathy, listening, and collaboration, as essential leadership skills.
• The need for female role models in STEM, entrepreneurship, and social leadership.
• The importance of diverse perspectives in driving meaningful, people-centric innovation.

An engaging discussion also emerged around corresponsibility—shared caregiving responsibilities between men and women. Participants reflected on Spain’s progressive parental leave policies and the positive impact of legal frameworks in promoting gender equality in both public and private spheres. The conversation highlighted the necessity of viewing care not as a gendered task but as a shared human responsibility, crucial to achieving professional equity.

Another highlight of the session was the introduction of Innovactoras, an international platform that maps and connects female innovators, mentors, and leaders. Innovactoras seeks to make female talent visible, fostering a sense of community and inspiration for younger generations. It was noted that local role models are essential for young girls to visualize themselves in leadership roles, and equally for boys to normalize the presence of women in powerful, diverse roles.

The webinar also featured a discussion on coaching and mentoring. The TARA for Women Foundation, which supports women in launching their social entrepreneurship projects, was presented as an example of how guidance, resources, and belief in potential can lead to transformational change. Mentoring, it was emphasized, is not about shaping someone into an ideal, but about helping them become the best version of themselves.

Participants explored the challenges men face in redefining their roles and seeking guidance on how to practice corresponsibility in marriage and parenting. This led to a broader reflection on how laws and organizational policies, such as mandatory equality plans and shared parental leave, can positively shape cultural norms.

Education was unanimously seen as the foundation of change. From early childhood to lifelong learning, instilling values of equality, empathy, and shared responsibility was seen as essential. Several panelists argued that laws alone are insufficient unless supported by robust educational systems and public awareness.

In conclusion, this webinar offered a rich and multifaceted dialogue on how women’s leadership in innovation must be recognized, supported, and celebrated. It called for systemic change, policy evolution, and cultural transformation—where men and women walk together, shoulder to shoulder, in building a more equal and innovative future. The Global Wo.Men Hub remains committed to continuing these conversations and to fostering a world where the talents of all are visible, valued, and empowered.

Stay tuned for upcoming webinars and join the movement for inclusive innovation!

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