Sustainability Leadership Strategies: A Woman from the Global South Navigating Barriers

Abstract

This study explores the author’s journey as she navigates the complexities of sustainable leadership within the intersecting challenges of gender inequality, resource constraints, and political adversity in the Global South. Drawing on personal experience and theoretical frameworks, the article examines strategies for overcoming significant barriers, including technological limitations, economic sanctions, and deeply ingrained gender norms. The narrative highlights a sustainability-oriented leadership approach grounded in collective leadership, systems thinking, and innovation in the face of adversity. By integrating local knowledge, empowering marginalized groups, and building resilience in response to external pressures, the study shows how sustainable leadership can appear and flourish even in contexts characterized by limited resources and persistent systemic inequalities. Central to the discussion is the role of women and culture in shaping leadership practices and strategies, with particular attention to how women leaders from the Global South can challenge established norms and contribute to meaningful social and environmental change. The study underscores the importance of diverse and inclusive leadership in advancing a more sustainable and fair future by connecting personal experience with global sustainability agendas, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This narrative provides insights for women leaders confronting similar challenges and offers practical strategies for navigating the intersecting barriers of culture, gender, resource constraints, and geopolitics in the pursuit of sustainability.