On February 24, 2025, the fourth mentoring session of the Women Empowerment and Mentoring Program (WEMP) was held to explore the various hurdles faced by academic leaders, especially women, in the higher education sector. The session, titled “Challenges in Higher Education,” was led by esteemed mentors Prof. Dr. Zill-i-Huma Nazli, Dr. Asia Rauf, and Dr. Hira Munir, aiming to shed light on the pressing challenges and equip attendees with strategies for overcoming them.�The session began with Dr. Hira Munir providing an introduction, followed by Dr. Asia Rauf presenting the session’s objectives. A poll was conducted to gauge the challenges faced by attendees, setting the stage for Prof. Dr. Zill-I-Huma Nazli’s discussion on the internal and external barriers within the education sector. �A major theme of the session was diversity and inclusion. The speakers emphasized the importance of cultural competence, equal access, and diverse representation in leadership roles in academic institutions. Pro Vice Chancellor GCWUF Prof. Dr. Zill-i-Huma Nazli paid special attention to the experiences of women leaders in Pakistan’s higher education sector, with stories of resilience, success, and strategies for overcoming gender biases.