Posted on 27 March 2025
Madison Walker, Director - United Nations Women Aotearoa NZ
I’ve had the privilege of serving as a Director at UN Women Aotearoa New Zealand since December 2023. What drew me to the development sector - and continues to inspire me every day - is seeing firsthand the transformative impact of women and girls thriving. When women and girls are empowered, it doesn't just change their own lives - it uplifts families, strengthens communities, and shapes more just, resilient societies.
What’s keeping you up at night?
What keeps me up at night is the growing pushback on women’s rights and gender equality - gains that have been hard-won over decades are increasingly under threat. In the development and humanitarian sector, this is both a challenge and a call to action. In the face of this resistance, it’s more important than ever to lead with our values - kindness, compassion, and fairness. These are not soft ideals; they are powerful principles that guide meaningful, inclusive progress. They remind us of the kind of world we’re working toward - and why we must keep going.
What’s one innovative project or approach your organisation is most proud of right now?
One initiative we’re especially proud of is our Restore Dignity campaign, supporting women and girls in crisis. In moments of crisis, every second counts. For those forced to flee conflict or disaster, there’s no time to pack essentials - but hygiene doesn’t wait for crises to end. Through this campaign, we provide dignity kits with soap, sanitary items, clean underwear, torches and other essentials that help restore a sense of dignity, safety, and normalcy in the most difficult of times. It’s a simple yet powerful way to stand with women and girls when they need it most.
How is your organization adapting to shifts in global aid funding and donor priorities?
UN Women Aotearoa New Zealand is deepening relationships and actively seeking opportunities to diversify our funding streams. We’re also adapting by being more strategic with our campaigns, strengthening our communications, and ensuring we can clearly demonstrate the impact of our work. Amid shifting donor priorities, our commitment remains the same: to stand with women and girls and ensure their voices and needs continue to shape development and humanitarian efforts.
If you could change one thing about the development sector overnight, what would it be?
I think many of us in the sector share the same sentiment: we’d love to work ourselves out of a job because the need no longer exists. But if I could change one thing overnight, I’d settle for more consistent funding. Sustainable impact takes time, trust, and resources - and too often, incredible work is constrained by short funding cycles or underinvestment. With better funding, we could do so much more, for so many more.
What’s your message to the next generation of development and humanitarian leaders?
Lead with curiosity, compassion, and your commitment to driving positive change. This work is complex and ever-evolving, but never doubt the impact you can have. Progress may not always be linear, but keep showing up. Your voice and actions matter.
Any recommendations for a great book, article or podcast to share with CID members?
The Overstory by Richard Powers. While a work of fiction, it beautifully weaves together human stories with the natural world, offering a reflection on connection, resilience, and the long arc of change. For those of us working in the development sector, it’s a powerful reminder of interdependence - between people, communities, and the environment - and the importance of taking the long view in our work.
What value do you find in being a member of the Council for International Development and how does CID assist in your organisation's work?
Being a member of the Council for International Development has been incredibly valuable, particularly in fostering strong relationships across the sector. The opportunity to connect with others who are engaged in development work has strengthened a sense of shared purpose and enabled meaningful collaboration. We also really value being kept informed of key issues and sector-wide impacts - this broader perspective helps us align our efforts more effectively and respond with greater insight and coordination.