Celebrating International Women’s Day 2026 — Theme: Accelerate Action

International Women’s Day 2026 (IWD 2026) calls on us to advance rights, justice, and action for all women and girls. Beyond advocacy, it emphasizes the importance of generosity and collaboration, exemplified by the Give to Gain campaign. This initiative reminds us that giving—whether knowledge, resources, visibility, mentorship, or time—is not subtraction, but intentional multiplication: when women thrive, we all rise.

Global trade isn’t just about ports, ships, or cargo. It is powered by ideas, technologies, and leadership that enable goods, capital, and information to move across borders. Women have played critical roles in shaping these systems—through policy, innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological breakthroughs.

This International Women’s Week, we celebrate five remarkable women whose contributions continue to accelerate global trade and innovation today. Some are pioneers whose legacies endure, while others continue to lead and shape commerce in real time. Their work embodies this year’s theme: Accelerate Action.

 

1. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is an economist and global leader who made history as the first woman and first African Director-General of the World Trade Organization. In this role, she has guided the global trading system through economic uncertainty while championing inclusion and equity in international commerce.

Before the WTO, she served twice as Nigeria’s Finance Minister, where she implemented reforms that strengthened economic governance and transparency. She also spent over two decades at the World Bank, rising to Managing Director and shaping development policy for emerging economies.

Her work emphasizes the importance of inclusive global trade systems—ensuring that businesses and countries from all regions can participate fully in international markets.

2. Gladys West

Dr. Gladys West, an American mathematician, played a pivotal role in developing the Global Positioning System (GPS). While working at the U.S. Naval Weapons Laboratory, she modeled the Earth with remarkable precision, producing mathematical data that became foundational for satellite navigation systems.

GPS technology now underpins global logistics, shipping navigation, aviation, and supply chain management. West’s work demonstrates how abstract scientific research can have an enduring impact on commerce, enabling goods to move efficiently across the globe.

Her achievements highlight the often-invisible women whose innovations quietly power the infrastructure of global trade.

3. Mariam-uz-Zamani

Mariam-uz-Zamani, a powerful figure in the Mughal Empire during the 16th century, was one of the earliest documented female merchants in global trade history. Beyond her royal status, she owned and operated large ocean-going trading vessels, transporting textiles, spices, and other goods across the Indian Ocean.

Her entrepreneurial ventures allowed her to engage directly in international commerce, defying the gender norms of her era. Her activities helped establish trade networks that connected South Asia with the Middle East and beyond.

Mariam-uz-Zamani’s legacy reminds us that women have long played significant roles in shaping global economic networks—even when their contributions have been overlooked in history.

4. Hedy Lamarr

Hedy Lamarr, celebrated as a Hollywood actress in the 1940s, was also a groundbreaking inventor. Alongside composer George Antheil, she developed frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology, originally designed to prevent enemy interference with torpedoes.

Although not implemented immediately, Lamarr’s invention became the foundation for modern wireless communication technologies, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and satellite communications.

Her work demonstrates how technological innovation can reshape global connectivity, digital trade infrastructure, and the way commerce flows across borders.

5. Christine Lagarde

Christine Lagarde is a globally influential financial leader, currently serving as President of the European Central Bank and previously as Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. Her work has shaped global economic policy, financial stability, and trade frameworks.

She has played a critical role in responding to international financial crises, advocating for policies that strengthen global markets, and supporting mechanisms that allow emerging economies to participate in global commerce.

Lagarde’s leadership illustrates the essential connection between sound financial policy and the smooth functioning of global trade systems, highlighting the impact of women at the highest levels of economic governance.

 

Driving Global Trade Forward

From shaping trade policy to enabling digital infrastructure, these women show how leadership, innovation, and vision accelerate action in global commerce.

Their contributions remind us that global trade isn’t just about moving goods—it’s about building systems, opportunities, and networks that empower businesses and communities worldwide.

At Waza, we share this vision: we help businesses send and receive global payments seamlessly, so trade flows faster, capital moves confidently, and enterprises can focus on growth and opportunity.

Happy International Women’s Week!
Here’s to the women accelerating action and shaping the future of global trade.