Speech: Let us ensure that women are not only protected by cybersecurity, but are designing it, delivering it, and leading it
Opening remarks by UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous at the high-level event on “Women’s empowerment in cybersecurity” on the margins of UNGA81, UN headquarters, 22 September 2026.
[As prepared; check against delivery.]
It is a pleasure to join this important conversation on women’s empowerment in cybersecurity, together with our valued partners at the Global Cybersecurity Forum and ITU.
Cybersecurity protects far more than technology. It safeguards economies, institutions, and the trust on which our societies depend. It is also a sector in urgent need of talent. Yet it continues to overlook half the world’s potential.
Women are hugely underrepresented in cybersecurity due to barriers across education, recruitment, retention, leadership, and visibility. This is a loss for women. It is also a loss for the sector – and for us all.
Cyber threats are growing in scale and sophistication. We will not outpace them by drawing talent from only half of humanity. We need women’s knowledge, ingenuity, and leadership at the heart of cybersecurity.
Diverse teams see risks that others miss. They find stronger solutions. And they build digital systems that respond better to the people and societies they serve.
The landmark agreed conclusions of CSW67 were clear: women must have an equal voice in shaping the digital future. This partnership brings that commitment to cybersecurity – building women’s skills, opening pathways, and advancing their leadership.
That is why UN Women is proud to partner with the Global Cybersecurity Forum on the Women Empowerment in Cybersecurity initiative: strengthening mentorship and networks and advancing the policies and investments needed to make cybersecurity ecosystems more inclusive.
But no institution can deliver this transformation alone. We need governments, industry, academia, international organizations, and technology leaders to act together – with urgency and ambition:
- Invest in skills and education.
- Back women’s innovation.
- Build leadership pipelines.
- Create safer and more inclusive workplaces.
Let us open every pathway – from the classroom to the boardroom. Let us ensure that women are not only protected by cybersecurity, but are designing it, delivering it, and leading it.
The talent is here. The ambition is here. Together, we can build a safer digital future – and build it at full strength.
I look forward to our discussions. Thank you.
