Step Forward Global Initiative (SFGI)

Thank you for answering this call with us.

Let’s step forward.

“Step Forward” is a call to action for women to step forward, out of the shadows, and run for political office. Too frequently do competent women step back, step aside, or never step. SFGI seeks to address why.

“Step Forward” is a call to action for citizens to raise their awareness and consciously reduce the visibility gap that disadvantages women who step forward to run for political office. Women and men are often valued and evaluated differently. SFGI aims to remedy this status quo.

“Global” indicates the scope of SFGI’s activities. The visibility gap pervades countries worldwide. At the United Nations 80th General Assembly in September 2025, 194 world leaders attended. 12 were women. SFGI strives to ensure more women world leaders in the future.

“Initiative” indicates SFGI as a first mover with regard to amplifying women’s candidacies and building a civic tech data infrastructure around them and their countries of origin. Excellent resources capturing women’s representation and participation in politics do exist. What does not exist is a candidate-level analysis of how who runs shapes who governs worldwide. SFGI will profile the individual women behind the data and statistics.