Nations must put women at the centre of their social-economic development plans if they wish to proper, a Kenyan corporate executive told a global meeting in Paris, France.
In an address that also marked International Women’s Day 2025, Lilian Atho, the CEO and founder of Real Time Global-told WYN Global Summit that no country can flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contribution of half of its citizens.
“Electively, we can accelerate action for gender equality,” she urged.
International Women’s Day, observed every year on March 8, serves as a global platform to honour women’s contributions across various fields, including social, economic, political, and cultural spheres.
The theme for 2025, "For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment," emphasises the importance of universal rights and opportunities.
Lilian Atho, the CEO and founder of Real Time Global/HANDOUT“In a world where leadership is often measured by performance metrics, it’s easy to overlook the human element that truly fuels growth, innovation, and resilience," she said.
"Empathy isn’t just a soft skill; it’s a leadership superpower. When we connect with others on an emotional level, we build trust, foster collaboration, and inspire teams to achieve extraordinary results."
She added that the world needs to celebrate the power of women’s voices, leadership, and the impact of leading with heart. Atho is an experienced business development professional.
She has worked as founder and CEO of multiple industry-leading organisations including Real Time Group, Diamond Credit Company Limited, and Globelink Youth Foundation.
Lillian Atho is currently serving as the East African Ambassador for Female Founders Initiative Global and is currently the President WITA (Women In Tourism Africa)
