A Woman’s Guide to Speaking Up With Confidence

Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed firsthand the struggles women face in building careers, launching businesses, and securing investments.

In 2023, I pursued an International Development Certificate at NYU. The experience considerably deepened my understanding of the systemic inequalities that limit women in all aspects of life, which became particularly evident after my Gender Affairs course.

It was then that my mission became clear to me. I had to empower women to break through these barriers, find their voice, and achieve the recognition and reputation they deserve in both their personal and professional spheres.

As a result, last autumn, I launched my non-profit initiative.

To date, I’ve given over 100 consultations to help women in career growth and personal branding. If you’re wondering what the most common question I’ve received is, this is it.

How do I stop being afraid to speak up?

It breaks my heart to see people who are so talented and smart yet so afraid to own their greatness. Based on that, here is my guide for women to overcome the fear of visibility and make their voices heard.

Why female visibility matters

We are living in an era where every woman has the power to rise above fear, self-doubt, and societal expectations, yet too many female voices are still silent. While explicitly sexist laws persist in many countries — even in developed nations — gender disparities remain across industries such as venture capital, technology, art, sports, and communications.

For instance, in 2023, in Europe, all-female-founded startups received only 0.8% of the total VC funding. Despite high-profile cases like Mary Barra and Safra Catz, just 10.4% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women. And, did you know that a report revealed that female artists represent less than 2% of the market?

Studies have shown that embracing women’s unique talents is positive for businesses and other organizations alike. And for women, as individuals, finding the courage to speak up unlocks opportunities. Female visibility drives systemic change, because when we speak up, we gain recognition, challenge stereotypes, and inspire others.

Having said that, the fear of speaking up, as my consultations have shown, is very real. So how can you handle it?

3 steps to handle the fear of speaking up

Break free from inherited patterns

For many women, their fear of visibility is often cultural and learned from family or society. Many of us grew up in environments where taking initiative was discouraged, with messages like: “Don’t stand out,” “Stay silent and you’ll seem smarter,” or “A girl should be modest.”

Remember you’re not just a reflection of your upbringing. You have your own voice. The sooner you recognize this, the more you can achieve.

Ways to unlearn limiting beliefs include therapy, self-reflection, and conscious effort. At a minimum, ask yourself, “Whose voice is stopping me now?”

Shift the focus to your mission

Many hesitate to speak up because they focus too much on themselves. Reframe the question from “Who am I to speak on this?,” to “How can we, together, solve this?”

Instead of saying, “I want to help women worldwide,” I always say, “What can we do together to protect women’s rights and reduce gender inequality?” This approach was inspired by Jason Feifer, Entrepreneur’s Editor-in-Chief, who stated that before every interview, he creates a joint mission that he needs to accomplish with his guests. “This is not ME talking to THEM. This is US working toward a GOAL,” he said.

Positioning my mission as part of a bigger picture helps me move from fear to inspiration. When visibility serves a purpose, it transforms from self-promotion into a movement. Very well-known female leaders such as Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg knew this from a very young age.

Learn from role models and mentors

When I was a child, my mother was my main role model. She navigated a male-dominated industry while raising two kids. I saw firsthand what it took — the discipline, perseverance, and dedication. Her motto was simple: “If you want something, be persistent and work hard.”

As I progressed in my career, I never stopped looking for women who could inspire, motivate, and support me. I have worked with incredible leaders like Claudine Moore, an award-winning PR strategist and NYU professor, and Linda Descano, Global Chief Integration & Marketing Officer at Havas Red Network.

Similarly, I encourage you to look for women who own their voice and build strong personal brands. Study how they navigate and bolster their visibility. Remember that they, too, had doubts and fears. The difference is, they acted despite them.

This is why a mentor’s support — introductions, mentions on social media, or direct encouragement — can help you create the momentum you need.

Final thoughts

Your mission is bigger than your fear.

The discomfort of speaking up lasts a few seconds. The impact of your words can last a lifetime.

Every time you choose to stay silent, you reinforce the barriers that keep women invisible. But every time you speak up, you claim space not only for yourself, but for every woman who comes after you.

Confidence follows action. You don’t need to feel ready. You just need to start.

Use your voice. The world is listening.