On March 24th, the University of Birmingham became a hub for interfaith dialogue and empowerment, hosting the ‘Women Leading the Way’ conference.

This event brought together nearly two hundred women from diverse faith communities across the UK to explore the multifaceted landscape of female leadership in today’s socio-economic, political, and religious climate.

The conference served as a dynamic platform to discuss challenges, share invaluable experiences, and champion the greater inclusion of women in leadership roles across all faiths, fostering an atmosphere of inspiration and collaboration. Organised by Laura Marks CBE and Professor Jagbir Jhutti-Johal OBE, founding members of the Women’s Faith Forum, the day commenced with an opening address from the University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor Adam Tickell, who underscored the critical role of women in peace-building initiatives.

‘Women Leading the Way’ directly addressed the persistent issue of female under-representation within various sectors, particularly within faith communities where traditional interpretations and cultural norms can often limit women’s involvement in leadership. By establishing a crucial space for thoughtful examination and respectful interfaith exchange, the summit empowered attendees to question these limitations and explore alternative perspectives that actively promote female leadership.

The event not only highlighted the significant value women bring to leadership – fostering more balanced, compassionate, and effective decision-making within faith organisations and beyond – but also acted as a powerful catalyst for cultivating visible role models. As women leaders from diverse religious backgrounds shared their journeys, challenges encountered, and triumphs achieved, they inspired future generations and reinforced the urgent necessity for greater female representation at all levels of leadership.

Following the opening remarks, the conference moved into a dynamic opening keynote address delivered by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Lords Minister for Faith, Communities, and Resettlement, Lord Wajid Khan. Providing a valuable government perspective, Lord Khan emphasised the urgent need to cultivate unity and actively combat divisiveness within communities, highlighting the government’s commitment to fostering greater interfaith opportunities.

Lord Khan then expertly led Panel 1, ‘Setting the Context: Social and Gender Inequality,’ providing a vital forum to critically analyse the practical and systemic barriers that continue to hinder women’s advancement within faith-based organisations.

The panel featured significant contributions from leading figures including Professor Kiran Trehan, Wendy Olayiwola BEM, Dr Sarah Ali, and Dr Herminder Kaur OBE. Discussions ranged from addressing limited opportunities and unconscious biases within religious institutions to tackling deeply entrenched resistance to change. This crucial cross-religious dialogue facilitated the identification of shared challenges, fostering collaborative brainstorming for adaptable solutions that could be applied across diverse faith traditions and potentially inform strategies within secular leadership contexts. 

A particularly poignant moment followed the initial panel, where selected students representing various faith groups delivered a powerful and moving rendition of a poem by Maya Angelou, eloquently underscoring the fundamental necessity of women in social spaces. Panel 2, titled ‘Modelling Female Leadership: How Faith and Leadership Intersect and Challenge Stereotypes,’ further enriched the discussions. Featuring speakers Rabby Charley Baginsky, Revd Cannon Jenny Ramsden, Julie Siddiqi MBE, Surinder Kaur Sahota and Joy Madeiros, the discussions were incredibly inspiring, urging women to understand the necessity for their voices, attitudes, and opinions to be heard in leadership spaces. 

Following a networking lunch, attendees engaged in focused workshops, including one on ‘Barriers and Opportunities for Young Women in Leadership – Campus and Beyond,’ expertly convened by Vivienne Stern MBE, Professor Jhutti-Johal OBE, and Sally Patterson.

This session critically examined strategies for young women to cultivate influence within interfaith contexts, addressing the mirroring of societal religious hierarchies on university campuses.

Key discussion points encompassed the importance of identifying common ground and building consensus in challenging multi-faith conversations, the necessity of approaching discussions with neutrality and acknowledging diverse perspectives, and the power of active listening for genuine understanding. Participants also explored how personal experiences inform perspectives and the significance of self-confidence and recognising one’s expertise.

The workshop concluded by underscoring the critical value of women in leadership, particularly within multi-faith dialogues, and the importance of addressing difficult topics. After the workshops, the Rt Revd Dr Dagmar Winter delivered a keynote address on gender equality within the church, a powerful and inspiring talk to end the day.

The conference holds considerable relevance, situated within ongoing national dialogues on gender equality and the specific experiences of women in religious leadership, particularly following the dissolution of the Interfaith Network for the UK (IFN). The event provided a crucial platform for connection and network-building among women of faith, whilst also addressing the growing concern of online misogyny’s impact on young women in faith communities. Birmingham’s rich multiculturalism provided an apt setting for this gathering, emphasising the empowerment of women leaders within its diverse faith communities. 

The conference anticipates a significant positive impact, with co-organiser Laura Marks CBE articulating its aim to ensure the voices of women of faith are actively heard in policy and decision-making. Professor Jhutti-Johal OBE expressed optimism, noting the enthusiastic participation of university students as indicative of future women leaders.

In the conference’s official press release, the organisers remarked on the importance of getting ‘women’s voices heard around the policy and decision-making table, and challenging norms which exclude them’, and ‘how powerful it is that the next generation of women leaders are already stepping forward’. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who unfortunately was unable to attend but had been invited to speak, commended the “incredible efforts to bridge divides, bring people together, and make a difference,” recognising the inspiring power of female leadership exemplified at the conference.

The event has established a strong foundation for future collaborations and meaningful dialogue, with the insights and connections expected to empower women in leadership roles within their faith communities and contribute to broader societal advancement.

‘Women Leading the Way’ represents a timely and profoundly significant event in the ongoing pursuit of greater gender equality within leadership roles across faith communities. In an increasingly polarised world, the collective engagement and inspiring narratives shared by these remarkable women serve as a vital catalyst for fostering further dialogue and driving meaningful action towards a more inclusive and cohesive society. The commitment demonstrated by these leaders underscores the enduring need for continued conversations and impactful initiatives that actively amplify the voices and invaluable contributions of women across all faith traditions.